A group of business leaders demanded that elections must be held for all trade platforms under the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) before holding one for the FBCCI itself.
This is to ensure that representatives are free from political influence.
They made the demands on Monday during a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity Building, Dhaka.
Anti-Discrimination Reform Council coordinator Abul Kashem Haider said: “Over the past 15 years, most business chambers and associations have become embroiled in partisan politics.”
He said most current leaders are accused in various cases. Many are also absconding, leaving a vacuum of leadership.
“In this situation, it is imperative to elect members who are honest, qualified, and free from political influence,” he added.
Another coordinator Giasuddin Chowdhury Khokon said: “Many incompetent individuals who have no involvement in business activities have been appointed to the FBCCI's board of directors through political influence, utilizing a provision for nominated directors, in the past 15 years.”
The Commerce Ministry has instructed the newly appointed administrator to conduct a fair and neutral election within 120 days.
On September 11, the government appointed Md Hafizur Rahman, as an administrator to the FBCCI following the resignation of its president.
Ex-FBCCI president Mahbubul Alam resigned on the same day, citing illness amid protests following the mass uprising that ousted the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5.
