Shipping Agents Association's current board gets 6-month extension
Election to be held 15 days before term ends, commerce ministry directs
The Ministry of Commerce has extended the term of the current board of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) by six months. The decision was conveyed in a letter issued yesterday by Tahsina Begum, Deputy Secretary of the Trade Organisations-2 wing of the ministry.
According to the letter, the election for the next board of directors must be completed, and responsibilities handed over, at least 15 days before the end of the extended term.
The extension—valid from 28 April to 27 October, 2025—was granted in accordance with the Trade Organisation Act, with the aim of ensuring a fair and orderly electoral process, according to sources at the Ministry of Commerce.
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When contacted, Deputy Secretary Tahsina Begum confirmed to The Business Standard that the ministry made the decision following a request from the head of the BSAA Election Commission.
The BSAA elections were initially scheduled for 13 April. However, tensions between the ruling Sammilito Parishad panel and an opposing group led to an uneasy and confrontational environment in the lead-up to the polls.
Despite this, both the Election Board and Sammilito Parishad had expressed their intent to proceed with the election as scheduled.
Eventually, with agreement from both parties, the Election Board on 8 April decided to postpone the vote and formally requested the Ministry of Commerce to extend the current committee's term. The ministry responded by approving a six-month extension.
Additionally, the Commerce Ministry has instructed the BSAA Board of Directors to form a three-member Election Board and a three-member Election Appeal Board at least 90 days before the election. The election schedule must be published 80 days prior to voting day.
According to the BSAA Election Commission, elections were to be held for 24 director posts – 16 from the general category and eight from the associate category. A total of 37 candidates were contesting, including 24 from the Sammilito Parishad panel and 13 independents. The voter list included 226 eligible voters.
