BusinessToday24 Correspondent, Chattogram: The election schedule for the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) has been officially announced. Voting is set to take place on October 9, 2025, to elect office bearers for the term spanning October 28, 2025, to October 27, 2027.
The election will be held at the Navy Convention Center in the city’s Tigerpass area. Members will directly elect one chairman, two senior vice chairmen, two vice chairmen, and nineteen directors. Of the directors, thirteen will be chosen from the general category and six from the associate category.
In previous years, BSAA members elected only the directors through direct voting. The executive posts such as chairman and vice chairmen were then selected from among the directors. Under the new ordinance for trade organizations, all executive positions must now be filled through direct voting by the members.
Only individuals listed in the BSAA register by June 9, 2025, will be eligible to vote. To be included in the final voter list, members must clear all dues and outstanding payments by August 7. Additionally, each member is required to submit relevant documents such as a valid customs license, trade license, e-TIN, certificate from RJSC or partnership deed, along with a photo and signature on an official identification form.
According to an official notice signed by the Election Board Chairman, Commodore (Retd) A Z M Jalal Uddin, the nomination process will begin on August 26. The final deadline for submission of nomination papers is September 6 at 4 PM. Nomination fees vary by position, with the chairman post requiring a fee of 25,000 taka, senior vice chairman 20,000 taka, vice chairman 15,000 taka, and director 10,000 taka. All candidates must also submit a non-default certificate from Bangladesh Bank, along with tax and customs clearance, a police verification certificate, and their national ID.
A strict code of conduct has been put in place for the election. Candidates will not be allowed to influence voters using posters, banners, gifts, or restaurant-based gatherings. No form of campaign activity will be allowed within 100 yards of the polling center. All promotional events must take place only through officially sanctioned projection meetings under the supervision of the Election Board.
