Appeal board rejects Amzad Chowdhury's candidacy in shipbreakers election
Earlier, 17 candidates, including two for president and 15 for executive member posts, submitted nomination papers
The Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA) election appeal board led by Mohammad Aftab Uddin Chowdhury yesterday (11 May) rejected former acting president Amzad Hossain Chowdhury's appeal against cancellation of his nomination for president in the 3 June association election and upheld the decision.
The board also upheld the candidacies of executive member candidates Abdullah Jaber Siddiqui and Mohammad Ilias, subject to submission of original police clearance certificates by 20 May.
The appeal was rejected citing observations in Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal (CPL) Nos 61 and 62 of 2026 by the Appellate Division against a stay order linked to Civil Rule No 525 (FM)/2025 of the High Court Division.
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It also referred to a Bangladesh Bank Credit Information Bureau (CIB) report dated 30 April 2026 identifying Amzad as a loan defaulter. He could not be reached for comment as he did not respond to calls from The Business Standard.
Earlier, 17 candidates, including two for president and 15 for executive member posts, submitted nomination papers.
On 30 April, the election board cancelled three nominations, and the affected candidates filed appeals on 3 May.
The development comes amid ongoing turmoil in the shipbreaking industry body over election disputes, internal divisions and alleged violations of election rules.
Earlier, the Ministry of Commerce dissolved the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association executive committee and appointed an administrator after months of deadlock.
In a 5 February office order, the ministry said the committee's tenure expired on 9 November 2025 and the body was not operating in line with its constitution and the Trade Organisations Act, 2022.
It also cited leadership irregularities, noting that senior vice-president Liaqat Ali Chowdhury had taken over presidential duties in absence of an elected president, while Amzad Hossain Chowdhury was appointed acting president at a 3 November 2025 meeting in violation of bylaws.
The ministry appointed Abu Safayat Muhammad Shahedul Islam, secretary of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, as administrator and tasked him with holding a fair election within 120 days.
The election process had earlier collapsed after two of three commissioners resigned ahead of the scheduled 25 October election.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Mahmud Imam Billu resigned on 14 October citing lack of conditions for a fair poll, while Zahirul Islam Chowdhury resigned a day earlier.
Commissioners also alleged pressure from some candidates to declare a committee elected uncontested without completing procedures.
The election was the first under revised rules requiring income tax returns, VAT certificates, police verification and Bangladesh Bank CIB reports for candidates and voters.
On 16 September last year, a group of candidates declared themselves elected uncontested to 11 posts and announced Amzad as president, but the election board later refused recognition.
