FBCCI poll underway

The election for the board of directors of the country’s apex trade body Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) is underway. The biennial election to elect the office bearers for the 2017-19 tenure began at 9am Sunday and will continue till 5pm at the capital’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). The Election Board chairman, Professor Ali Ashraf, will announce the results after the final vote counts. This year, two panels are contesting for only 18 director posts of the association group, as the other 18 directors of the chamber group have already been elected unopposed. The panels are Sammilita Ganotantrik Parishad led by Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin and Babosayee Oikya Forum led by Abdul Motaleb. The 36 board of directors will elect the FBCCI president from the association group, one first vice-president from the chamber group and one vice-president from the association group. The government has already nominated 24 directors -- 12 from chambers and 12 from associations. The total number of the board of directors will be 60. President candidate Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, after casting his vote, told the journalists: "The election is going on in a festive and peaceful atmosphere." The FBCCI is comprised of 81 chambers and 382 associations. A total of 2,342 people will cast their vote this year.