e-CAB Election Energizes Enthusiasts: Independent and Panel Candidates Share Vision
A total of 36 candidates, including 27 newcomers, are contesting the upcoming e-CAB (e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh) biennial election scheduled for May 31. Out of the organization’s 2,842 members, 502 are eligible to vote in this year’s polls. Ahead of the election, a “Voter and Candidate Meet and Greet” event was held Saturday night at the Samurai Convention Center in Panthapath, Dhaka, under the banner “What Kind of e-CAB Do We Want,” organized by private initiative.
Although the program was scheduled for the evening, it did not start until 9:00 PM due to the late arrival of voters and candidates. Consequently, the planned two-hour Q&A session was shortened to just 30 minutes. Moderated by Abdul Alim Chowdhury, CEO of e-commerce platform Pakapeype and a candidate himself, the event featured 22 panel candidates and 14 independent candidates who introduced themselves and outlined their visions.
The independent candidates include Zahiduzzaman Sayed (Red Concept), Anwar Sadat (Master Engineering), Rayhana Begum (Top Trendz), Md. Sofayat Mahmud (SM International), Saiful Islam (Mahasagar.com Ltd), Muhammad Ismail Hossain (BD Exclusive), Md. Mohsin Iqbal (Amazing Soft), GM Faruk Hossain (Kholabazar), Khalid Saifullah (E-Commerce Infotech), Md. Kamrul Alam (Snow N Rain), Abdul Alim Chowdhury (Pakapeype), Kazi Mohsin Momin (MM Leather), Md. Faruk Hossain (Rangon International), and Asif Mahmud (Minimal).
Although the designated chief guest, administrator and Deputy Secretary Md. Saeed Ali, was expected to attend, he was absent. Nonetheless, the stage was jointly taken by members of both Team United and Team Tiger to answer questions from around 200 attending voters. Seven to eight voters asked questions, which candidates responded to, although no formal manifestos were presented.
Common themes voiced by all candidates included making e-CAB more member-friendly, resolving regulatory issues, facilitating SME loans, and preserving the organization’s independence from political influence. Many emphasized the importance of a cooperative rather than combative environment and ensuring fair access to policies and business development for all members to foster digital economic growth.
Under the leadership of Mosammat Jannatul Haque Shapla of Azure Cuisine, Team United sought support from voters for the first time, featuring candidates such as Mohammad Sahab Uddin (Diabetes Store Ltd), Saleh Ahmed (Purple IT Ltd), Abu Sufiyan Nilav Bhuiyan (Nijol Creative), SM Nurun Nabi (Bikroy Bazar), Md. Tasdik Habib (Clean Force Ltd), Md. Nur Islam Babu (Khet Khamar), Hosne Ara Nuri (Naurin’s Mirror), Saifur Rahman (One Mall Ltd), Syed Utswat Imam (Express in Town Ltd), and Mohammad Emran (Inception Technologies Ltd).
On the other hand, under the leadership of Mohammad Nuruzzaman, Chairman of Green Data Ltd, Team Tiger included candidates like Abdus Salam (London Bazar BD), Touhida Haider (Mensen Media), Moynul Hossain (Farnicom), Md. Najib Ullah (Adommo Prokash), Sheikh Shafayat Hossain (Epiker Extensive Ltd), Md. Saiful Islam (Amar Gadget.com), Kazi Mukituzzaman (Top More), and Md. Mahabub Hasan (Takshal.com). Notably, Zia Ashraf, Co-founder of Chaldal.com, and Ferdous Alam of Etova Technologies were absent from the group presentation.
All 14 independent candidates attended the event, though only 10 took the stage at once to present their views and answer questions.
Abdul Alim Chowdhury, CEO of Pakapeype, a new e-CAB member and candidate, said, “My nomination was canceled, and I received clearance only two days ago. Still, even if I don’t win, I want to help create a trade body free from political influence. I want to build a business network and ensure that voters can exercise their rights freely. To prevent mudslinging, I had to take this responsibility alone to build a balanced environment. Just like citizens step up to clean the streets when city corporations don’t, I did the same.”
