Court halts Chattogram Chamber election for 2 weeks

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has suspended the upcoming election of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) for two weeks.

A seven-member bench passed the order yesterday (30 October) following a hearing on an appeal filed by the Ministry of Commerce. The election was scheduled for tomorrow (1 November).

"In compliance with the High Court order in Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal No. 4176/2025, polling scheduled for 1 November has been suspended," CCCI confirmed the matter in a notice signed by Chairperson Monowara Begum last evening

The last contested CCCI election took place in 2013. Since then, leadership has been selected without competition, as business groups reached consensus each term.

CCCI members said the High Court had earlier ordered the election to proceed without two categories of members — town associations and trade groups — following a writ petition filed by businessman Mohammad Belal on 22 September. The Ministry of Commerce later appealed that order on 22 October.

After hearing the appeal, the Appellate Division ordered a two-week suspension and directed the High Court to dispose of the original writ within that period.

Advocate Nihad Kabir, counsel for Belal, told The Business Standard the order effectively halts the vote until the writ is resolved.

Alleged irregularities in member categories

CCCI's 21-member board has 12 directors from the general category, six from the associate category, and three each from town association and trade group categories. The president and two vice presidents are later elected by the directors.

This year, six candidates -- three from each smaller category  were set to be elected unopposed before the court's intervention.

According to chamber sources, a prior internal inquiry found eight trade and town groups inactive. Based on that, Belal, general secretary of the Chattogram Garments Accessories Group, lodged a complaint with the FBCCI's Alternative Dispute Settlement Tribunal to exclude the inactive groups from the election.

He later filed a writ petition with the High Court, which on 22 October allowed the election to proceed without the disputed categories.

The inactive groups reportedly include four town associations: Patiya, Boalkhali, Hathazari, and Rangunia, and four trade groups: Chattogram Small Footwear Manufacturers Group, Chattogram Tyre Tube Importers and Dealers Group, Chittagong Dyes and Chemicals Importers and Dealers Group, and Chittagong Milk Food Importers Group.

Why this election matters

This year's vote drew unusual attention in Chattogram's business community. For the first time in over a decade, two major panels the United Business Forum and the Chattogram Business Alliance were preparing to contest head-to-head for control of the chamber, one of the country's largest business bodies.

The election was seen as a test of influence among leading trade groups and industrialists amid a shifting political climate and calls for reform within business associations.

Reaction from business community

Following the court's order, the United Business Forum expressed deep disappointment.

In a statement Thursday, the Forum said, "The election had generated enthusiasm and renewed hope among the business community of Chattogram. Its postponement has caused widespread frustration."

"We firmly believe the true leadership of the business community should be determined by the will of the voters," the statement continued. "Those who resort to legal battles instead of trusting the democratic process should respect the long-standing aspirations of the business community and refrain from election-obstructing activities in the future."

The Forum also reaffirmed its commitment to standing by Chattogram's general business community and safeguarding their interests.