Six candidates cleared as High Court removes bar on CCCI election
The dispute arose over whether several trade and town associations were active enough to join the election
The High Court today (11 December) cleared the way for holding the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) election, confirming that six candidates from the trade group and town association categories are eligible to contest.
A bench of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Ashik Hasan discharged Writ Petition No 16976/2025, which had challenged a Ministry of Commerce directive allowing the two categories to participate.
With the order issued yesterday, the court lifted its earlier stay and reinstated the ministry's 4 September memo.
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According to a certification by Advocate Farzana Khan, the directive is now fully in force, removing legal barriers to holding the 2025–26 and 2026–27 chamber elections and to allowing the two categories to vote and contest.
The writ petitioner, businessman Mohammed Belal, argued that several trade and town associations were inactive and should not be included in the election. An internal inquiry had also flagged eight such groups. He first approached the FBCCI's Alternative Dispute Settlement Tribunal and later filed the writ.
Earlier, the High Court allowed polling to proceed without the disputed categories. The ministry appealed, taking the matter to the Appellate Division.
On 30 October, the Appellate Division suspended the election for two weeks and asked the High Court to dispose of the writ within that period. CCCI later said polling scheduled for 1 November had been postponed in compliance with the order.
The chamber last held a contested election in 2013. Since then, top posts have been filled through consensus among business groups, prompting criticism from members seeking competitive voting.
This year's election drew attention as two major panels – the United Business Forum and the Chattogram Business Alliance – prepared for a rare contest. Before the dispute interrupted the process, six candidates – three from the town association and three from the trade group – were expected to win uncontested.
The United Business Forum earlier expressed disappointment over the delay, saying it had dampened enthusiasm within the business community.
With the High Court's latest order, CCCI can now resume preparations and include all member categories permitted by the ministry.
