Forum secures win in BGMEA elections

The Forum, led by Rising Group Managing Director Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, won the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) biennial elections for 2025-27 on Saturday, securing 31 out of 35 directorship positions.

A total of 76 candidates from three panels—the Forum, Sammilito Parishad, and Oikya Parishad—contested the elections held in Dhaka and Chattogram. Election officials reported that 1,631 out of 1,864 eligible BGMEA members cast their votes, with 1,377 voting in Dhaka and 254 in Chattogram.

The Sammilito Parishad, led by Chaity Group Managing Director Md Abul Kalam, won only four directorship seats, while the Oikya Parishad did not secure any.

The election board chairman, Md Iqbal, announced the results late Saturday. Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu received the highest number of votes at 1,149, whereas Sammilito Parishad leader Md Abul Kalam garnered 666 votes and was unsuccessful in winning a seat.

Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu is set to become the next BGMEA president.

In the Chattogram region, Salim Rahman received the highest vote count with 1,058 votes.

The 35 elected directors from Dhaka include Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, Shah Rayeed Chowdhury, Mijanur Rahman, Faisal Samad, Mohammad Abdur Rahim, Inamul Haque Khan, Hasib Uddin, Vidiya Amrit Khan, Md Rezwan Selim, Shahed Udduza Chowdhury, Nafis Uddoula, Mohammad Abdus Salam, Sumaiya Islam, Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, Fahima Akter, Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Mustafiz, Majumdar Arifur Rahman, Kazi Mizanur Rahman, ABM Shamsuddin, Joardar Mohammad Hosne Quamar Alam, Asef Kamal Pasha, Rashid Ahmed Hossaini, Faruque Hassan, Rumana Rashid, Mohammad Sohel, and Samiha Azim.

Winners from the Chattogram region are Salim Rahman, M Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Syed Mohammad Tanvir, Sakeef Ahmed Salam, Md Shaif Ullah, Mohammad Rafique Chowdhury, Enamul Aziz Chowdhury, SM Abu Tayyab, and Rakibul Alam Chowdhury.

At the Dhaka polling center, 1,377 of 1,561 votes were cast, representing approximately 88.21% voter turnout, while Chattogram saw 254 of 303 votes cast, about 83.83% turnout.

Overall, 1,631 votes were cast out of 1,864 across both regions. Voting took place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. without interruption at the Radisson Blu Water Garden in Dhaka and Radisson Blu Hotel in Chattogram.

Per the BGMEA election schedule, the official final results will be published on June 4. The election for office bearers is set for June 14, with results announced on June 16, when the new Board of Directors will officially assume office.