After a 16-year gap, Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) is finally heading to the polls.
An eight-member election commission led by former Bangladesh Agriculture University (BAU) professor Dr. Lutfur Rahman, was formed on September 29 this year. The commission has been working to finalise the voter list and announce the schedule soon, according to the KIB sources.
Years of irregularities, political dominance and factional conflict had stalled polls since 2009, allowing the Awami League-leaning Bangabandhu Krishibid Parishad to maintain uninterrupted control. Previous attempts to hold elections, including a final push in 2016, failed amid lawsuits and intra-party rifts.
Amid a post-uprising power shift, the BNP-aligned Agriculturists Association of Bangladesh (AAB) briefly captured control, triggering violent clashes between rival groups. To restore order, the Ministry of Social Welfare appointed Lt. Col. Md. Abdur Rob Khan as administrator on January 20 this year.
The administrator launched a reform drive that exposed years of financial malpractice - fake bills, embezzlement of project funds and undocumented spending. Several cases and general diaries have been filed. A full audit since 2017 is underway, with legal action to follow, according to KIB sources.
While talking to this correspondent, Abdur Rob Khan stated that KIB never paid land revenue or holding tax, and a waiver process has begun. A healthcare discount deal was signed with United Hospital. All office staffs are being brought under provident fund, and efforts continue to recover large bank deposits.
Parallel to reforms, a new election commission comprising former BAU Prof Dr. Lutfur Rahman, with seven other senior agriculturists was formed on September 29 to conduct fresh polls. Finalising the voter list, the commission will announce the schedule soon.
Agriculturists say the reforms have revived confidence in the 33,000-member body.
"This election can finally free the organisation from long-running irregularities and political capture," said agriculturist Mahbubur Rahman. "We hope a new leadership will uphold transparency and work for the profession's welfare."
