BPGMEA members demand administrator for next election after '20 years of irregularities'
Financial irregularities cited in the application include unaccounted funds
General members of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) have formally requested the Ministry of Commerce to dissolve the current Board of Directors and appoint a neutral administrator to oversee the upcoming elections of the trade body.
In an application submitted to the Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, members cited a two-decade absence of democratic elections and widespread organisational irregularities.
The petition highlights that no democratic election has taken place within the association since 2004. Allegations suggest that a specific group, leveraging the influence of the previous government, has maintained control over this vital trade body for the past 20 years and continues to operate with unelected members.
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General members have voiced concerns regarding a "name-only" election currently being fast-tracked for the 2026-2028 term. They allege that the current president, Shamim Ahmed, is attempting to cling to power by conducting an election while remaining in office alongside his followers.
Senior members, including KM Zahir Faruk and KM Alamgir Iqbal, filed the application to the ministry in this regard. They contend that individuals favoured by the former administration's commerce and industry advisor, Salman F Rahman, took unilateral and significant decisions, such as land purchases for personal gain, without conducting Board meetings, Annual General Meetings (AGM), or involving proper purchase committees.
Financial irregularities cited in the application include unaccounted funds. Approximately 15 years ago, Tk5 crore and Tk1.75 crore were allegedly placed in FDRs with a weak and nearly bankrupt leasing company for personal interest without board approval; these funds remain untraceable now.
The board is also accused of illegally renewing memberships by waiving or discounting 5 to 10 years of unpaid dues for unqualified individuals to manipulate the voter list.
Under these circumstances, members have demanded the appointment of an experienced and neutral administrator to ensure transparency and the development of the plastic industry. They have called for the cancellation of the "one-sided" election schedule currently set for 17 May 2026, and urged immediate government intervention to announce a fresh, inclusive schedule for a fair election.
