Film Artistes’ Association election set for July 3

The Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association will hold its biennial election on July 3, with voting scheduled from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC).

Election Commissioner Kamal Mohammod Kibria Lipu said 573 registered voters will cast their ballots to elect office bearers and executive committee members from two competing panels.

As campaigning gathers pace, candidates from both panels have stepped up outreach efforts at the BFDC, where election camps have been set up outside the association’s office.

Lipu said the Election Commission has introduced stricter campaign guidelines. Each panel will be allowed to display only four banners inside the BFDC premises. Posters may not be pasted on walls or hung with ropes, while independent candidates may use banners measuring up to 3 ft by 2.5 ft. Candidates, however, will be permitted to distribute handbills.

He also said security will be tightened on polling day, with access to the BFDC restricted to prevent the entry of unauthorised visitors.

One panel is led by Arman, contesting for president, with actress Rumana Islam Mukti running for general secretary.

Their panel also includes Nuton and Elias Cobra for vice-president, Rina Khan for joint general secretary, Chunnu for organising secretary, MA Parvez Chowdhury Abir for international affairs secretary, Rasel Mia for office and publicity secretary, Maruf Akib for cultural and sports secretary, and Kamruzzaman Kamal for treasurer.

Candidates for executive committee members from the panel are Manas Bandyopadhyay, Dulari, Raka, Sharmin Akter, Latif (Chita), Nasrin, Sushanta, Shahin, Badal Sheikh, Arman Khan, and Shamim Khan.

The rival panel is headed by Shiba Sanu for president and Joy Chowdhury for general secretary.

Its candidates include DA Tayeb and Rozina for vice-president, Subrata for joint general secretary, Sony Rahman for organising secretary, Poly for international affairs secretary, Mushfiqur Rahman Kakon for cultural and sports secretary, Jacky Alamgir for office and publicity secretary, and Jadu Azad for treasurer.

The panel’s executive committee candidates are Aliraj, Farhad, Shipon Mitra, Firoz Shahi, Yamin Haque Bobby, Hasan Jahangir, Shirin Shila, Falguni Rahman Jolly, Kayes Arju, and Kabila.

Besides Lipu, Khorshed Alam Khosru and BH Nishan are serving as election commissioners.