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A group of aggrieved candidates and general members of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) on Wednesday demanded the cancellation of the existing voter list, reconstitution of the election and appeal boards, and rescheduling of the association’s 2026-2028 election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The demands were placed at a press conference held at Shangri-La Inn in Nayapaltan, Dhaka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former ATAB Secretary General Afsia Jannat Saleh, panel chief ASM Ibrahim, Didarul Haque, Mahmudul Alam Siddiqui and several general members and aggrieved candidates addressed the press conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The speakers alleged that the final voter list, published on June 12, contained numerous irregularities. According to them, organisations with cancelled licences, fake voters and even deceased individuals were included in the list, while 46 legitimate members were excluded from exercising their voting rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also alleged that the nominations of former ATAB President Abdus Salam Aref, former Secretary General Afsia Jannat Saleh, former Vice-President Ziaur Rahman Khan Rezwan and former Deputy Secretary General Idris Mia were rejected due to what they described as the incorrect application of the Trade Organization Rules, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referring to a recent verdict by the FBCCI Arbitration Tribunal, the speakers said the tribunal on July 21 cancelled the disputed final voter list, reinstated the candidacies of the four leaders and annulled parts of the election schedule, directing the authorities to announce a revised schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They further alleged procedural irregularities in the functioning of the three-member appeal board, claiming that one member did not attend the hearing but his signature was nevertheless included in the final decision. They described the incident as a violation of the principles of natural justice and questioned the credibility of the board’s decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The aggrieved candidates and members placed five demands before the government, seeking the intervention of the Ministry of Commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their demands include reconstituting the Election and Appeal Board with neutral and qualified members, allowing all legitimate candidates who were allegedly excluded from the election to contest, preparing a fresh voter list by removing organisations with fake or cancelled licences, announcing a revised election schedule in line with the FBCCI Arbitration Tribunal’s observations, and ensuring equal opportunities and security for all candidates throughout the election process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The speakers said the election of a major trade body like ATAB should be transparent, fair and credible. They urged the government to take necessary legal and administrative measures to restore confidence in the electoral process and ensure a free and acceptable election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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