Photo : BSS

DHAKA, July 18, 2026 (BSS) - Senior journalist Sayeed Ahmed Khan, Special Correspondent of The Daily Inqilab, has been elected President while Salah Uddin Jasim, Senior Reporter of Jago News, was elected General Secretary of the Dhaka-based Cumilla Journalists Forum (CJF) through direct vote.

Didarul Alam Didar, founding Member Secretary, former General Secretary of the organization and Chief Reporter of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), secured the highest number of votes in the election. He got 117 votes to win as executive member.

The election was held in a festive atmosphere at the National Press Club from 2pm to 6pm on Friday. Earlier in the day, the organization's biennial general meeting was also held at the same venue.

Of the forum's 176 registered voters, 132 journalists cast their ballots. The official results were announced at night following the completion of voting and counting.

According to the results, Sayeed Ahmed Khan won the president's post with 90 votes by defeating his lone rival, ANM Kudrat-e-Khoda, who secured 41 votes.

Salah Uddin Jasim was elected General Secretary with 62 votes. His two rivals, Sayeed Abdul Malek and Md Shariful Islam, received 36 and 34 votes respectively. 

For the two vice-presidents, Salam Faruk of RTV secured 80 votes and Mosammat Nasrin Sultana of Priyopata received 61 votes to win. Their rival, Nazmul Haque Shyamal, obtained 52 votes.

Monir Ahmad Zarif of The Daily Janakantha and Farzana Afrin of Bangladesher Alo were elected Joint Secretaries with 81 and 75 votes respectively.

Nizam Uddin Darbesh of The Daily Manab Katha was elected Finance Secretary with 100 votes, defeating Saiful Islam Masum, who received 29 votes.

Md Shah Nawaz Bablu of Channel 24 was elected Organizing Secretary with 85 votes, while his nearest rival, Jahir Alam Sikder, secured 40 votes.

Md. Ashikur Rahman of Star News won the Office Secretary post with 99 votes. His rival, Nurul Islam Khan Mamun, received 19 votes.

Shahadat Hossain Rakib of the Dhaka Post was elected unopposed as Publicity and Publications Secretary, while Ahmed Azam Bina was elected unopposed as Sports and Cultural Secretary.

Habibur Rahman Babu of Nagorik TV won the Welfare Secretary post with 67 votes, defeating Nur Mohammad Mithu, who secured 53 votes.

AFM Rasel Patowary of The Daily Ekushey Sangbad was elected Information and Technology Secretary with 65 votes, while his rival, Abdul Hakim Abir, received 55 votes.

Kazi Deen Mohammad Belal of The Daily Jaijaidin was elected Education and Training Secretary with 89 votes, defeating AK Salman, who secured 36 votes.

Yasin Rana of ATN Bangla was elected unopposed as International Affairs Secretary, while Mahmudul Hasan Biplob Sikder of The Daily Amar Desh was elected unopposed as Event and Hospitality Secretary.

Five candidates were elected as executive members. Didarul Alam Didar of BSS topped the list with 117 votes, followed by Mohammad Abdul Wadud of the New Nation with 74 votes. Komol Chowdhury of Best News and Md. Abu Taher of The Daily Probhat jointly secured third position with 73 votes each, while Sharmin Sultana Rina of Shilpikontho was elected with 57 votes. Another candidate, Tahmina Akter, received 52 votes.

Among others, former BSS Managing Director and Ekushey Padak-winning journalist Gaziul Hasan Khan, BioPharma Group Managing Director Dr. Liaquat Ullah, the forum's founding President Mahmudur Rahman Khokon, founding Member Secretary and Assistant Professor at the State University of New York Dr Imran Ansari and several other distinguished guests addressed the biennial meeting.