Nearly half of aspirants for Chattogram Chamber polls disqualified over loan defaults or VAT non-compliance

Some 34 candidates have been disqualified from contesting the upcoming election of the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Of them, 20 were disqualified for defaulting on loans or failing to submit VAT returns.

The nominations for the remaining aspirants were rejected due to incomplete documentation, including police clearance certificates and central bank reports on loan status, according to election officials.

Prominent business leader Amjad Hossain Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association, was among those disqualified. His nomination was rejected as the CIB report did not clear him and he failed to provide the original police clearance certificate.

The disclosure comes after the deadline for filing nominations ended on September 21.

Some 71 aspirants submitted nominations to contest for the director posts of the century-old trade body.

It shows that nearly half of all applicants failed in the initial scrutiny.

Candidates have until September 27 to lodge appeals against the decision.

The final list of eligible candidates will be published on October 5, ahead of the polls scheduled for November 1 at the World Trade Centre in Chattogram.

"The appeals process is open. Even if no candidate is cleared for a particular category, the election will proceed with the remaining posts," said Monowara Begum, chairperson of the election board.

This year, contestants were required to submit notarised documents verifying their compliance with tax, VAT, and customs duties, as well as a Bangladesh Bank Credit Information Bureau (CIB) report certifying they are not loan defaulters.

Conviction in a criminal case within the past five years also disqualified candidates.

The election, being held under the Trade Organisation Ordinance and Chamber rules, will fill 24 director posts—12 from the general trade body representatives, six from association members, and three each from the trade group and town associations.

Of the candidates who filed nominations, 47 were from the general category, 17 from the association category, and three each from the town association and trade group categories.

After scrutiny, election officials cleared applications from 25 aspirants who filed nominations from the general category, nine from the association category and three trade group candidates.

This year, the Chamber has 6,780 voters, including 4,001 general members and 2,764 associate members.