The Swadhinata Parishad candidates were assaulted during the election in 2019, with members with allegiance to the rival platforms snatching away their nomination papers and other documents, alleges its chief
 

The Swadhinata Parishad, one of the platforms contesting in the biennial election of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), on Sunday expressed its scepticism about the fairness of the balloting.

“Although we are prepared, we are unsure whether our candidates can properly file nomination papers, which was a major hassle during the 2019 election,” said Md Zahangir Alam, convener of the platform, ata press conference.

The apparel makers usually elect the leader of their sector’s apex trade body for two years under the banners of Sammilita Parishad and Forum, a panel of BGMEA's registered members.

But since September 2015, the apex trade body of the apparel sector has been selecting presidents on a consensus between members of the two platforms.

Disgruntled former members from both the leading platforms formed the Swadhinata Parishad in 2019, determined to break the influence of both the controlling nexus.

With the view to reestablishing the right to vote to elect the leaders and to restore a voting culture, the platform started itsjourney in 2019 and took part in the election that year, said Alam, also the managing director of Design and Source.