New York Correspondent: The upcoming election of the Bangladesh Society of New York, one of the largest organizations representing Bangladeshi immigrants in the United States, has become a major topic of discussion within New York’s Bangladeshi community. The election is scheduled for October 25, with approximately 35,000 members expected to be eligible to vote.
Candidates submitted their nomination papers on Sunday, September 6, at Queens Palace in Queens amid a festive atmosphere. More than a thousand supporters and activists attended the event, carrying banners and posters supporting their respective candidates and panels. Supporters also chanted slogans in favor of their preferred candidates.
The election is shaping up as a competitive contest between two major camps. The current president of the Bangladesh Society, Ataur Rahman Selim, and General Secretary Mohammad Ali are leading one panel. Challenging them are Azmal Hossain Kunu for president and Firoz Ahmed for general secretary.
Interestingly, both candidates contesting for the presidency are originally from Sylhet, Bangladesh, and are business partners in a restaurant business in New York. Despite their business partnership, they are now facing each other as political rivals in the community organization’s election. Syed Fazle Rabbi has submitted his nomination papers as the only independent candidate for the position of general secretary.
The Election Commission accepted nomination papers from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Chief Election Commissioner Abu Naser presided over the nomination process, assisted by Election Commissioners Badrul Hossain Khan, Shamsuddin Azad, Ruhul Amin Sarkar, Ahbab Chowdhury, Mithu Hamid and Mia Mohammad Dulal.
According to the Election Commission, nearly 300,000 Bangladeshis live in New York, while approximately 35,000 people have become members of the Bangladesh Society. Membership required a $20 fee, generating approximately $700,000 in membership revenue for the organization.
A total of 21 positions will be contested in this year’s election. Nomination fees range from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the position. The nomination fee for president is $6,000, while candidates for general secretary must pay $5,000. Candidates running for member positions are required to pay a $2,000 nomination fee.
The unusually high nomination fees have sparked considerable discussion within the community. Many observers say the amount required to run for office in a nonprofit community organization is notable, particularly when compared with the overall cost of participating in the election.
The presidential and general secretary nomination fees of $6,000 and $5,000, respectively, have drawn particular attention. Beyond nomination fees, candidates and their supporters are expected to spend significant amounts on campaign activities, meetings and rallies, posters, banners, social media promotion and other election-related activities.
As a result, the Bangladesh Society election is increasingly being viewed as one of the most expensive community elections in the history of New York’s Bangladeshi community, particularly in terms of nomination and campaign expenses.
The final outcome will be determined through voting on October 25. As election day approaches, campaign activities are expected to intensify, with competing panels and candidates increasing their outreach and mobilization efforts across the community.
