Bangladesh Film Directors Association elections on April 2

With only a day to go, campaigns surrounding the Bangladesh Film Directors Association elections have reached a climax. This time, leaders of the association will fight through three panels. 

This year, 48 candidates are contesting against the 19 posts of the committee, including the president and secretary-general. These 48 candidates will contest the election in three panels- Kazi Hayat-SA Haque Alik, Sohanur Rahman Sohan-Shahin Sumon and Shah Alam Kiran-Safi Uddin Safi.

The candidates have been vigorously campaigning to attract voters. The BFDC has taken on a festive mood as candidates and voters roam inside the premises from morning till night. They are gathering in small groups around the association's yard, canteen and garden.

However, one of the candidates, eminent director Kazi Hayat, has been admitted to the hospital due to Covid-19. He was infected by the virus soon after he submitted his nomination papers. When his condition worsened, he was taken to the ICU. However, he tested negative for the virus recently, said SA Haque Alik, the general secretary candidate of Kazi Hayat's panel.

SA Haque Alik said, "Directors are much more aware now. They will think before voting for a candidate this time. They want to strengthen the association. And we will continue to work from our panel to strengthen the association."

Shah Alam Kiran, president candidate for Shah Alam-Safi Uddin panel, said, "We did not field candidates for all the posts from our panel. However, we think all our candidates are qualified."

Meanwhile, the Sohanur Rahman Sohan-Shaheen Sumon panel has candidates for all the posts. Shaheen Sumon, the general secretary candidate of this panel, said, "This time most of the voters are young. Youth has power. We will move forward using their energy."

Abdul Latif Bachchu will be the chairman of the Election Commission this year. The other two members of the Election Commission are BH Nishan and ASM Shafiqur Rahman. Dewan Nazrul will play the role of the chairman of the election appeal board. Some 361 voters will cast their votes in this election.