e-CAB Election:
Only 17% of Total Members Qualified as Voters, Nearly 33% Rejected Despite Applying!
- 74 percent of members, including the former president, did not apply at all.
- Reformists, including founding members, have also been excluded
- Allegations of dual policy regarding private limited company returns.
-
Following prolonged legal bottlenecks, administrative inertia, and repeated expirations of administrators' tenures, the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB)—the country's apex national trade body for the digital commerce sector—has finally embarked on its electoral process. However, the publication of the preliminary voter list for the 2026–2028 biennial executive council elections has triggered widespread disquiet and frustration rather than celebration. Across the association’s roster of over 3,000 members, a meager 17.43% have secured voting rights on the preliminary roll. Meanwhile, nearly 33% of applicants who braved stringent deadlines were eliminated in a single stroke under technical screening.
Official data released on October 29 by the Election Board reveals that out of an active membership registry extending up to Member ID 3008, only 777 members submitted applications for membership renewal and voting eligibility. This implies that over 2,231 general members—representing over 74% of the association's total fraternity, including former president Shomi Kaiser—refrained from applying for voter status altogether. Out of the 777 entrepreneurs who applied, only 523 were cleared as valid preliminary voters, while the applications of the remaining 254 members (32.69%) were dismissed citing documentary deficiencies.
The preliminary disqualification list has sent shockwaves through the e-commerce industry, primarily due to the exclusion of founding members and erstwhile executive leadership. Mohammad Abdul Wahed Tomal, an e-CAB co-founder and multiple-term general secretary, was disqualified over the absence of screenshots of his enterprise's website homepage or Facebook page. Co-founder and former finance secretary Mohammad Abdul Huq Anu saw his application canceled over the non-submission of an updated income tax certificate.
Furthermore, the applications of former senior vice president and DiabetesStore Ltd. Managing Director Mohammad Sahab Uddin, Foodpanda Bangladesh Chairman and former vice president Syeda Ambareen Reza, and Women and e-Commerce (WE) founder and Women and e-Commerce Ltd. owner Nasima Akter Nisha were revoked due to the absence of board resolutions nominating representatives.
High-profile corporate leaders and prominent ecosystem pioneers were also caught in the disqualification sweep, including Fahim Ahmed (Managing Director, Pathao Ltd.) and A. H. M. Saiful Alam (Chairman, Sundarban Courier Service). The rejection roll also features Rezwan Khan (Managing Director, Star Computer Systems Ltd.), Chowdhury Fazle Imam (Representative, Genex Infosys PLC), Furaira Shishir (Managing Director, Butterfly Matrimonial Ltd.), reformist tech pioneer and Bdjobs.com Ltd. CEO AKM Fahim Mashroor, Syed Uswat Imam (Director, Express in Town Ltd.), and Mohammad Anwar Sadat (Master Engineering Technology).
Aggrieved entrepreneurs have sharply criticized what they describe as an institutional "double standard" imposed on private limited entities. Protesting members point out that while personal income tax return slips suffice for sole proprietorships, election authorities have insisted on standalone corporate income tax returns for private limited enterprises. They argued that denying voting rights to private limited companies whose owner-directors hold up-to-date personal tax clearance is inequitable and undermines the spirit of an inclusive business association.
Voicing strong frustration, one entrepreneur remarked: "For the first time, I am witnessing a festival of voter exclusion instead of a festival of voting! An election is supposed to be a celebratory exercise of participation, mandate, and democratic rights. When the prevailing discourse centers on the disqualification of legitimate members, it raises valid questions about how participatory this election truly is. An association draws its strength from engaging members, not purging them. We demand a transparent and fair mechanism so every eligible member can cast their ballot. The election must unite all, not shut people out."
Conversely, members who navigated the screening expressed measured optimism. Reflecting on their inclusion, an approved voter stated: "As an e-CAB member, being included in this preliminary list is both encouraging and joyous. I hope the upcoming election is conducted in a fair, transparent, neutral, and participatory environment, positively advancing members' dignity and the growth of our e-commerce sector. I look forward to e-CAB emerging as an agile, resilient, and member-centric body through our collective dedication."
The electoral gridlock originated after the mass resignation of the e-CAB executive committee following the political transition in August 2024. The Ministry of Commerce initially appointed Muhammad Sayeed Ali, then Deputy Secretary of the Central Digital Commerce Cell, as administrator for 120 days. Later, in September 2025, Joint Secretary Dr. Saif Uddin Ahammad was appointed as the new administrator. However, multiple High Court challenges—notably Writ Petition No. 11600/2025—repeatedly delayed the election beyond statutory timelines. Following the disposal of the litigation, the Ministry reconstituted both the Election Board and the Election Appeal Board on September 23, 2026, to oversee the election.
The reconstituted Election Board is headed by Sharif Mostafizur Rahman, Deputy Secretary (WTO Wing-5), Ministry of Commerce, alongside members Firoz Al Mamun, Deputy Secretary (Planning-1), and Md. Sirajul Islam, Deputy Controller (FTA-4). The Election Appeal Board is chaired by Sufia Akhter Rumi, Joint Secretary (TSM Wing), accompanied by Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Senior Assistant Secretary, among other senior ministry officials.
Per the official election notification, the 254 excluded applicants retain a legal window to restore their voting franchise. Disqualified members may file written appeals accompanied by authenticating documents addressed to the Chairman of the Election Appeal Board. The appeal window remains open from October 30 to November 1, 2026, during regular office hours until 5:00 PM. Following appeal adjudications, the final voter roll will be published on November 5 and 6, 2026.
According to the official schedule, nominations for all 11 executive council positions (President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, General Secretary, Joint Secretary, Finance Secretary, and 5 Directors) will be collected and submitted between November 6 and 12. The verified candidate roster will appear on November 25, followed by the withdrawal window, leading to the final candidate list on November 28. Balloting is set for Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM without intermission, with preliminary results announced the same evening and final certification slated for December 23.
Industry stakeholders emphasize that if the Election Board and Appeal Board adopt a pragmatic, grievance-remedying stance during the appeal hearings, the final voter tally will expand substantially, transforming this much-delayed race into a genuinely democratic election for the country's digital commerce pioneers.
//DBTech/IH/SMP/MIST//
- 74 percent of members, including the former president, did not apply at all.
- Reformists, including founding members, have also been excluded
- Allegations of dual policy regarding private limited company returns.
-
Following prolonged legal bottlenecks, administrative inertia, and repeated expirations of administrators' tenures, the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB)—the country's apex national trade body for the digital commerce sector—has finally embarked on its electoral process. However, the publication of the preliminary voter list for the 2026–2028 biennial executive council elections has triggered widespread disquiet and frustration rather than celebration. Across the association’s roster of over 3,000 members, a meager 17.43% have secured voting rights on the preliminary roll. Meanwhile, nearly 33% of applicants who braved stringent deadlines were eliminated in a single stroke under technical screening.
Official data released on October 29 by the Election Board reveals that out of an active membership registry extending up to Member ID 3008, only 777 members submitted applications for membership renewal and voting eligibility. This implies that over 2,231 general members—representing over 74% of the association's total fraternity, including former president Shomi Kaiser—refrained from applying for voter status altogether. Out of the 777 entrepreneurs who applied, only 523 were cleared as valid preliminary voters, while the applications of the remaining 254 members (32.69%) were dismissed citing documentary deficiencies.
The preliminary disqualification list has sent shockwaves through the e-commerce industry, primarily due to the exclusion of founding members and erstwhile executive leadership. Mohammad Abdul Wahed Tomal, an e-CAB co-founder and multiple-term general secretary, was disqualified over the absence of screenshots of his enterprise's website homepage or Facebook page. Co-founder and former finance secretary Mohammad Abdul Huq Anu saw his application canceled over the non-submission of an updated income tax certificate.
Furthermore, the applications of former senior vice president and DiabetesStore Ltd. Managing Director Mohammad Sahab Uddin, Foodpanda Bangladesh Chairman and former vice president Syeda Ambareen Reza, and Women and e-Commerce (WE) founder and Women and e-Commerce Ltd. owner Nasima Akter Nisha were revoked due to the absence of board resolutions nominating representatives.
High-profile corporate leaders and prominent ecosystem pioneers were also caught in the disqualification sweep, including Fahim Ahmed (Managing Director, Pathao Ltd.) and A. H. M. Saiful Alam (Chairman, Sundarban Courier Service). The rejection roll also features Rezwan Khan (Managing Director, Star Computer Systems Ltd.), Chowdhury Fazle Imam (Representative, Genex Infosys PLC), Furaira Shishir (Managing Director, Butterfly Matrimonial Ltd.), reformist tech pioneer and Bdjobs.com Ltd. CEO AKM Fahim Mashroor, Syed Uswat Imam (Director, Express in Town Ltd.), and Mohammad Anwar Sadat (Master Engineering Technology).
Aggrieved entrepreneurs have sharply criticized what they describe as an institutional "double standard" imposed on private limited entities. Protesting members point out that while personal income tax return slips suffice for sole proprietorships, election authorities have insisted on standalone corporate income tax returns for private limited enterprises. They argued that denying voting rights to private limited companies whose owner-directors hold up-to-date personal tax clearance is inequitable and undermines the spirit of an inclusive business association.
Voicing strong frustration, one entrepreneur remarked: "For the first time, I am witnessing a festival of voter exclusion instead of a festival of voting! An election is supposed to be a celebratory exercise of participation, mandate, and democratic rights. When the prevailing discourse centers on the disqualification of legitimate members, it raises valid questions about how participatory this election truly is. An association draws its strength from engaging members, not purging them. We demand a transparent and fair mechanism so every eligible member can cast their ballot. The election must unite all, not shut people out."
Conversely, members who navigated the screening expressed measured optimism. Reflecting on their inclusion, an approved voter stated: "As an e-CAB member, being included in this preliminary list is both encouraging and joyous. I hope the upcoming election is conducted in a fair, transparent, neutral, and participatory environment, positively advancing members' dignity and the growth of our e-commerce sector. I look forward to e-CAB emerging as an agile, resilient, and member-centric body through our collective dedication."
The electoral gridlock originated after the mass resignation of the e-CAB executive committee following the political transition in August 2024. The Ministry of Commerce initially appointed Muhammad Sayeed Ali, then Deputy Secretary of the Central Digital Commerce Cell, as administrator for 120 days. Later, in September 2025, Joint Secretary Dr. Saif Uddin Ahammad was appointed as the new administrator. However, multiple High Court challenges—notably Writ Petition No. 11600/2025—repeatedly delayed the election beyond statutory timelines. Following the disposal of the litigation, the Ministry reconstituted both the Election Board and the Election Appeal Board on September 23, 2026, to oversee the election.
The reconstituted Election Board is headed by Sharif Mostafizur Rahman, Deputy Secretary (WTO Wing-5), Ministry of Commerce, alongside members Firoz Al Mamun, Deputy Secretary (Planning-1), and Md. Sirajul Islam, Deputy Controller (FTA-4). The Election Appeal Board is chaired by Sufia Akhter Rumi, Joint Secretary (TSM Wing), accompanied by Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Senior Assistant Secretary, among other senior ministry officials.
Per the official election notification, the 254 excluded applicants retain a legal window to restore their voting franchise. Disqualified members may file written appeals accompanied by authenticating documents addressed to the Chairman of the Election Appeal Board. The appeal window remains open from October 30 to November 1, 2026, during regular office hours until 5:00 PM. Following appeal adjudications, the final voter roll will be published on November 5 and 6, 2026.
According to the official schedule, nominations for all 11 executive council positions (President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, General Secretary, Joint Secretary, Finance Secretary, and 5 Directors) will be collected and submitted between November 6 and 12. The verified candidate roster will appear on November 25, followed by the withdrawal window, leading to the final candidate list on November 28. Balloting is set for Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM without intermission, with preliminary results announced the same evening and final certification slated for December 23.
Industry stakeholders emphasize that if the Election Board and Appeal Board adopt a pragmatic, grievance-remedying stance during the appeal hearings, the final voter tally will expand substantially, transforming this much-delayed race into a genuinely democratic election for the country's digital commerce pioneers.
//DBTech/IH/SMP/MIST//
