Photo : Collected
The 2022 Bangladesh Film Artists' Association (BFAA) election has come under scrutiny due to allegations of political interference and irregularities. Initially, Ilias Kanchan was elected president and Zayed Khan secretary, defeating actress Nipun Akter. However, Nipun contested the results, leading to a prolonged legal battle that ultimately saw her assume the position of general secretary through a court order.
Recent revelations from election commissioners have shed light on the intense pressure and threats they faced during the election process. Pirzada Harun, the chief election commissioner, recounted receiving multiple calls from a powerful politician attempting to influence the results in Nipun's favour. This politician, who reportedly held significant sway over various ministries including the home ministry, employed tactics ranging from bribery attempts to threats of arrest.
Harun, known for his integrity from previous experiences, refused to yield to the pressure. As a result, he faced harassment, false accusations of political affiliation, and was eventually banned from entering the Film Development Corporation (FDC) premises. Another anonymous election official corroborated these claims, revealing that they received threats to their lives and were subjected to intimidation.
Most notably, the article alleges that Sheikh Selim, a lawmaker and cousin of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, made 17 calls in an attempt to secure Nipun's victory. This level of high-profile intervention was unprecedented and shocking to those involved in conducting the election.
Despite losing to Zayed Khan by 13 votes initially, Nipun's subsequent legal actions and political connections ultimately allowed her to serve a full term as general secretary. Her influence in the association continued even after leaving office, as evidenced by her issuing statements on official letterhead during the quota reform movement in July 2024.
The article traces Nipun's political connections back to 2008 when the Awami League came to power. Her relationship with Sheikh Selim became public when he inaugurated her luxury parlour in Banani in 2012.
In the following BFAA election held in April 2023, Nipun lost to Monowar Hossain Dipjol for the general secretary position. Although she initially conceded defeat, she later filed a writ petition to suspend the new committee's activities, which was unsuccessful.
This controversy has raised serious questions about the integrity of the BFAA elections and the extent of political influence in cultural organizations. The revelations from election officials highlight the pressure tactics employed by powerful political figures to manipulate results in favour of their preferred candidates.
Messenger/Fameema
