E-CAB Election Uncertainty Deepens After Ministry Revokes Board Order

The Ministry of Commerce has cancelled its previous office order regarding the formation of the Election Board and Election Appeal Board constituted to conduct the biennial Executive Council election of the E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) for the 2026–2027 term. As a result, the e-CAB election process has once again been suspended.

The decision was announced through an office order issued on Thursday, May 21, by the Trade Support Measures Wing of the Ministry of Commerce.

The order, signed by the ministry’s Joint Secretary and e-CAB Administrator Dr. Saif Uddin Ahammed, stated that the office order issued on May 18, 2026, under Memo No. 57 for the formation of the e-CAB Election and Appeal Board has been cancelled.

The order further mentioned that the cancellation was made under the authority vested in Respondent No. 3 as described in Writ Petition No. 11600/2025 filed before the Honorable High Court Division, along with the powers granted under Section 18 (1) (b) of the Trade Organizations Act, 2022. All concerned parties have been informed accordingly under official directives.

Earlier, the board had been formed to ensure the smooth conduct of the e-CAB electoral process. However, due to legal complexities and the ongoing High Court writ petition, the Ministry of Commerce was compelled to revoke the previous order. Sector insiders believe that the upcoming e-CAB election process will now remain pending until further instructions are issued.

Copies of the office order have been sent to senior officials of various wings of the Ministry of Commerce and relevant offices, including the Office Secretary of the e-CAB headquarters in Dhanmondi, for kind information and necessary action.

DBTech/NA/MUM/OR