E-CAB Forms New Election Boards

The election process of the E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (E-CAB) for the 2025–27 term has resumed after a prolonged legal and administrative deadlock. The Ministry of Commerce has reconstituted the Election Board and Election Appeal Board, clearing the way for the election process to move forward. The High Court had directed that the election be held within three months through newly constituted boards.

On Wednesday, September 23, the Trade Support Measures Wing of the Ministry of Commerce issued an office order announcing the formation of the two new boards. The order refers to Writ Petition No. 11600 of 2025 and Section 18(2)(b) of the Trade Organization Act, 2022 in connection with arranging the E-CAB executive committee election.

Deputy Secretary Sharif Mostafizur Rahman of the Ministry of Commerce, serving at the WTO-1 Branch, has been appointed chairman of the new Election Board. Deputy Secretary Firoz Al Mamun of the Planning-1 Branch and Deputy Controller Md Sirajul Islam of FTA-4 have been appointed members.

The Election Appeal Board will be chaired by Joint Secretary Sufia Akter Rumi of the Ministry of Commerce. Joint Secretary Mohammad Delowar Hossain of the Administration-2 Section and Senior Assistant Secretary Md Mahbubur Rahman of the TCM-1 Branch have been appointed members.

The E-CAB election for the 2025–27 term was originally scheduled for May 31, 2025. However, the Election Board suspended the process on May 14. A new election date of July 26 was later announced, but the High Court stayed the election shortly before the scheduled vote. The election process was consequently halted again.

On September 7, 2026, a High Court bench disposed of the writ petition and directed E-CAB to hold its executive committee election within three months. The court also directed the reconstitution of the Election Board and Election Appeal Board in accordance with Section 18(2)(b) of the Trade Organization Act, 2022.

The writ petition was filed by Md Anowar Sadat, owner of Master Engineering Technology and an E-CAB member, challenging earlier Ministry of Commerce orders concerning the election schedule. Following the High Court’s final judgment, the formation of the new boards marks the next step toward resolving the election-related legal impasse.

Muhammad Syed Ali, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce’s Central Digital Cell, initially served as E-CAB administrator. He was later succeeded by Ministry of Commerce Joint Secretary Dr Saif Uddin Ahmed. Earlier, Dr Ahmed had said that the election could not proceed while the High Court stay remained in effect and that a new Election Board and Election Appeal Board would be formed after the legal obstacle was cleared.

With the new boards now constituted, the election schedule, voter-related procedures and other election activities for the 2025–27 term can move forward. The High Court has set a three-month timeframe for completing the election.

The administration expects that the newly constituted Election Board and Election Appeal Board will facilitate a participatory election through which E-CAB members can choose their preferred leadership. It is also expected that an elected leadership will strengthen the organization’s structure, improve member representation and help advance policy and service-related activities for Bangladesh’s e-commerce sector.
//EHEC/MIST/SMIK//