e-CAB Election 2026: Power Circles versus Ideological Integrity and the Imperative for Institutional Reform

The much-anticipated and widely debated final voter list for the 2026–2028 Executive Council term of the E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) has finally been published. Seeing my name on the electoral roll and earning the statutory eligibility to contest for the presidency or a representative portfolio naturally prompts a profound introspection: should one step into an arena dominated by intense political maneuvering and power struggles?

Analyzing the newly published final voter list reveals a stark mathematical reality. According to institutional data and reviews by the Centre for Digital Commerce Research & Analysis (CDCRA), although e-CAB boasts over 3,000 registered member enterprises, only 710 voters have made it onto the final electoral roll. This means roughly 75 to 80 percent of registered businesses and representatives remain excluded from the voting process—an unprecedented and deeply concerning scenario for a national-level trade association.

Even more striking is the near-total absence of Bangladesh’s pioneering e-commerce enterprises, leading logistics networks, tech giants, and established consumer brands; their executives did not even apply to become voters. Why have the industry's frontline business leaders turned away from their primary national association? Is this mere administrative apathy, or does it represent a silent vote of no confidence against the current electoral mechanism, past syndicates, and entrenched patronage networks?

Patronage Networks, "Pocket Voters," and Ideological Duplicity

A closer look at the current electoral climate reveals an uncomfortable departure from corporate professionalism. The conduct of several prospective candidates reflects a lack of basic business etiquette, replaced by a fierce scramble for authority. Amid past electoral controversies and opportunistic maneuvering, a premier professional business forum risks resembling a closed patronage court rather than an open trade body.

Many aspirants are actively seeking the quiet blessing of entrenched power brokers. The sharpest ethical contradiction lies in the duplicity of those who publicly champion the government's reformist, business-friendly vision on social media, while privately courting the very architects and beneficiaries of past controversial election commissions and syndicates.

The objective is transparent: securing electoral victory by tapping into pools of so-called "pocket voters"—paper-only, inactive entities maintained solely to cast bloc votes. Does this covert alliance with opportunistic syndicates align with the principles of good governance and transparency? Reports suggest no expense is spared in funding the membership renewals or trade license updates of these proxy voters, as crossing the electoral finish line without them appears impossible for syndicate-backed candidates.

Arrogance of Power versus Principles of Transparency

Critiquing these internal anomalies should not be misconstrued as opposing the current government or the Ministry of Commerce’s reform initiatives. On the contrary, we hold steadfast respect for the administration's commitment to corruption-free governance and its "Bangladesh First" economic vision. We remain confident that the state will not endorse fraudulent voter syndicates or partisan interference within trade bodies.

For the historical record, breaking the prolonged legal deadlocks, writ petitions, and electoral stagnation in e-CAB required relentless advocacy from principled general members. It was through our direct written appeals to the highest levels of government—and the subsequent visionary intervention and directives from the state leadership and the Ministry of Commerce—that legal barriers were cleared, allowing the stalled election schedule to resume.

Yet, it is deeply regrettable that while the highest authorities created a pathway for a transparent, democratic ballot, certain opportunistic contenders are exploiting that space—preaching high ideals in public while capitulating to old syndicates behind closed doors. This represents not only double standards, but a betrayal of the broader spirit of institutional reform.

Reasons Behind the Voter Drought and Corporate Apathy

Cross-referencing empirical studies by CDCRA with current electoral trends highlights four core drivers behind why only 710 out of 3,000+ members registered as voters:

• Toxic Environment of Patronage and Proxy Voters: Chief executives and directors of leading domestic and multinational e-commerce platforms, payment gateways, and logistics firms value corporate integrity. They refuse to compromise their professional standing by participating in an ecosystem perceived to be dictated by lobbying and proxy voting.

• Mud-Slinging and Reputational Risk: For established corporations, brand equity is paramount. The prevailing electoral atmosphere—marked by online trolling, mud-slinging, and personal character assassination—deters reputable enterprises from entering the fray.

• Unhealed Wounds of Past Escrow and Financial Scandals: The fallout following the 2022 elections—where hundreds of crores of taka were trapped in escrow gateways alongside widespread consumer fraud by rogue platforms—created a profound trust deficit due to the perceived inaction of past leadership. Mainstream businesses have yet to recover from that institutional shock.

• Lack of Tangible Policy Advocacy: A national trade association should function as a robust policy think tank championing industry interests. When an association is reduced to ceremonial events, trade fairs, or exclusive networking clubs, established industry leaders view paying fees to participate in its elections as an unproductive exercise.

Candidate Credentials: Industry Builders or Seasonal Opportunists?

As a section of prospective candidates campaigns aggressively for executive positions, general members rightly ask a fundamental question: what tangible contributions have these individuals made to the e-commerce ecosystem or the welfare of grassroots entrepreneurs?

When the sector stood on the brink of collapse during the escrow crisis, when emerging entrepreneurs faced bureaucratic hurdles obtaining trade licenses and Digital Business IDs (DBID), or when disproportionate VAT and tax burdens weighed heavily on small merchants—where were these contenders? Did they advocate in the media, engage in policy research, or stand beside struggling founders? Or are they simply "seasonal leaders" emerging under new banners following political shifts? Electing individuals lacking proven industry sacrifice or professional ethics—solely on the strength of proxy voters—will not advance the fortunes of ordinary entrepreneurs; it will merely hold the industry hostage once again.

The Imperative for a Non-Partisan, Free Election

e-CAB is not an affiliate wing of any political party; it must operate as an autonomous, non-partisan trade body. Past attempts to weaponize political influence or power brokers to sway ballots must be permanently dismantled.

The upcoming election must be entirely free, fair, neutral, and insulated from intimidation or political leverage. The Election Board and relevant authorities must guarantee an environment where voters can cast their ballots independently—guided strictly by a candidate’s competence, professionalism, and dedication to the sector.

Beyond Critique: A 30-Point Master Roadmap for Reform

Our engagement is not driven merely by critique or a desire for office; we have formulated a concrete 30-point master roadmap to modernize Bangladesh’s digital commerce sector. Its five core pillars include:

1. National Policy & Bureaucratic Automation: Collaborating with the Ministry of Commerce, NBR, and Bangladesh Bank to fully automate DBID issuance, tax audits, and trade license renewals, eliminating red tape.

2. Regional & Women Entrepreneur Empowerment: Establishing "E-Commerce Growth & Support Centers" across all eight administrative divisions and connecting grassroots F-commerce and female entrepreneurs with accessible formal banking channels.

3. Logistics & Payment Security: Enforcing a mandatory "Model Service Level Agreement" (SLA) for courier companies to prevent parcel pilferage and guarantee Cash-on-Delivery (COD) settlement within 24 to 48 hours.

4. Collateral-Free Credit Scoring: Facilitating collateral-free institutional loans for micro-merchants evaluated on their verified digital transaction histories rather than traditional fixed assets.

5. Cross-Border E-Commerce Expansion: Resolving customs and payment gateway bottlenecks to enable local boutiques, artisans, and manufacturers to export directly via global platforms like Amazon and eBay.

Confronting a Moral Dilemma: To Contest or Not?

Standing at this crossroads, I confront a deeply personal dilemma: does someone committed to ethical principles belong in a contest heavily tilted by syndicate math? My values do not permit me to seek favors from power brokers or compromise with past syndicates. Conversely, winning an election without organized bloc voters presents a formidable uphill battle.

As a founding member, I acknowledge that many of the new faces among the 710 final voters are unfamiliar to me—whether due to my own outreach limitations or the curated nature of the roll. Furthermore, forming a panel with individuals who practice political duplicity is out of the question. Given my years of foundational work and struggle for the association, contesting for any position other than the Presidency would not align with my self-respect or mission. Yet the question remains: can a solitary stand overcome an entrenched network to restore the rights of general merchants?

8. Final Stance and Message to the Industry

I am neither announcing a retreat from the election nor declaring a definitive candidacy just yet. However, one principle is absolute: if I ultimately enter the ballot, I will contest exclusively for the post of President, running as a completely independent and uncompromising candidate.

If I play, I will play strictly by the rules of professionalism and integrity. Even if defeat is the outcome, I will never bow to unholy syndicates, proxy voters, or patronage courts. Losing while standing firm on principles is, in my view, the highest form of ideological victory.

e-CAB must belong to honest, hardworking entrepreneurs—not seasonal opportunists or lingering shadows of past syndicates. The time has come to reclaim the industry we built with our sweat and dedication. My deepest respect and best wishes remain with every genuine voter, entrepreneur, and well-wisher of e-CAB.

[Editor's Note]

Published against the backdrop of the upcoming e-CAB Executive Council election and the release of its final voter roll, this commentary by founding member Sohel Mridha examines critical questions of internal governance and institutional credibility within Bangladesh's e-commerce sector. Beyond analyzing the mathematical contraction of the 710-member electorate and the notable abstention of major corporate brands, the piece advocates strongly for insulating trade associations from partisan and syndicate interference. Furthermore, the outlined 30-point reform framework—targeting DBID automation, logistics accountability, and collateral-free financing—reflects pressing operational priorities for grassroots digital merchants. This article is published with editorial standardization to present the author’s perspective and foster constructive discourse on democratic governance and professionalism within the digital economy.