BSAA polls postponed, administrator appointed

The commerce ministry has postponed the upcoming biennial election of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA), which was scheduled to be held on October 9, and appointed an administrator to organise a fresh poll within four months.
According to two separate office orders issued today, the Trade Organisation Wing of the commerce ministry made the decision following allegations of irregularities, intimidation, and disorder surrounding the trade body's election process, said BSAA Chairman Syed M Arif to The Daily Star.
In an office order signed by Deputy Secretary (acting) Chowdhury Shamiya Yesmin, the ministry said the decision was made in view of several applications and a hearing held on September 30 by the Directorate of Trade Organisation.
In another order, signed by Director General of the Trade Organisation Wing Mohammed Rehan Uddin, the ministry noted that several aspirants were allegedly prevented from submitting nomination papers despite having purchased forms.
Some were reportedly threatened with violence—incidents that led to the filing of a general diary with Chattogram Metropolitan Police.
The order also said the BSAA election commissioner had failed to play an effective role in resolving the ongoing disputes.
It added that the lack of coordination between the current executive committee and the election commission had disrupted the association's functions, harming the country's trade and economy.
Citing Section 17 of the Trade Organisations Act, 2022, the ministry dissolved the existing board and appointed Sharmin Jahan, a joint secretary and additional divisional commissioner (revenue) of Chattogram, as the administrator of BSAA.
The administrator has been directed to update the voter list and hold a free and fair election within 120 days, handing over charge to the newly elected committee afterward.
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