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The biennial election of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for the term 2021-23 ended at 7:00pm, recording more than 86 per cent votes cast.
A total of 1,604 BGMEA Dhaka members out of 1,853 cast their votes, while some 392 BGMEA Chattogram members out of 461 voted at the BGMEA Complex in the port city.
The BGMEA election board announced the update after the conclusion of the vote casting that began at 9:00am.
Due to deterioration in pandemic, the BGMEA election board extended the duration of voting by three hours. Voters cast their vote from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm at 14 booths, sources said.
Two panels -- Sammilita Parishad and Forum -- contested the BGMEA election.
Faruque Hassan, managing director of Giant Group and former vice-president of the trade body, is leading the Sammilita Parishad, while ABM Shamsuddin, chairman of Hannan Group and former vice-president of BGMEA, is leading the Forum panel.
Incumbent BGMEA President Dr Rubuna Huq also contested the election.
Talking to the FE, both the panel leaders and some other contestants expressed their satisfaction over the situation. However, some Forum members expressed fear of untoward incidents during the vote counting.
The elections for the president, seven vice-presidents and office-bearers will be held on April 16 and the new board will take charge on April 20.
BGMEA is being run by a 35-member board of directors, including seven vice-presidents. The apex trade body has around 4,500 members.