CHATTOGRAM, Sept 25, 2025 (BSS) - The nominations of 35 out of 71 intended candidates have been declared invalid during the initial screening process for the post of directors of the upcoming election of Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).  

The election for the post of 24 members of the board of directors of the century-old trade body is scheduled to be held on November 1. 

 Monowara Begum, Chairman of the CCCI election board and a Director of Local Government said that there was a scope of declaring valid the cancelled nomination papers if missing required documents are submitted and make an appeal to review the decision. 

 Nomination papers were cancelled due to lack of required documents, which were made mandatory for submission with nomination papers as per the election rules.  

 Candidates whose nomination papers declared invalid can file appeal till next Saturday. The final list of candidates will be published on October 5.

 Fort the first time in CCCI election, intending candidates must submit documents like tax, VAT, and customs payment certificates verified by a notary public, a police clearance certificate and CIB report provided by Bangladesh Bank. 

 In addition, candidates who had suffered jail term in any criminal case must have passed 5-years to compete in election. 

 A review of disqualified candidates revealed that all 35 whose nomination papers have been declared invalid had not attached their CIB reports, police clearances, and VAT returns with nomination papers while four candidates had negative CIB reports, eight did not provide VAT returns, and eight did not submit original police clearance certificates. 

 However, the nomination papers of 24 candidates in the Ordinary Member Group, eight candidates in the Associate Member Group, and three candidates in the Town Association Group have been initially rejected.

Out of the 24 director posts, 12 will be elected in the Ordinary Member category, six in the Associate Member category, three in the Trade Group (who are going to be declared as elected unopposed) and three in the Town Association Group.

 As per the published voter list on September 14 last, the number of voters is 4,010 from ordinary members, 2,764 from associate members, five from the Town Association Group, and 10 from the Trade Group. 

CCCI yesterday published a fresh circular setting September 30 as the last date for getting new membership.