Khulna: Rashidul Islam, the Khulna Bureau Chief of the Daily Manabzamin, and Abdur Razzak Rana, the Khulna Divisional Chief of the Daily Sangram, have been elected as the president and general secretary, respectively, of the Khulna Metropolitan Union of Journalists (MUJ) in its biannual election. They were declared elected uncontested along with five others for the seven available posts.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the other elected office bearers include Vice-President Muhammad Nuruzzaman, who serves as the Khulna District Correspondent of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha; Joint Secretary Md Ashraful Islam Nur, the Khulna Correspondent of Ekushey Television; and Treasurer Rokibul Islam Moti, the Khulna Correspondent of SA Television. The Executive Members elected are Md Ershad Ali, the Khulna Bureau Chief of the Daily Naya Diganta, and KM Ziaus Sadat, the Executive Editor of the Daily Probartan.
The election was conducted under the supervision of a three-member committee led by GM Rafiqul Islam, a senior union member and Khulna Bureau Chief of the Financial Express. Other committee members included HM Alaudddin, a former MUJ general secretary and Khulna Bureau Chief of the Daily Kaler Kantho, and Mizanur Rahman Milton, the Editor of the Daily Khulnancha.
After the announcement of election results, the newly elected leadership emphasized their dedication to strengthening the "No Wage Board, No Media" movement, advocating for media freedom, and defending journalists' rights, in accordance with the 39-point declaration of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists.
As per the MUJ constitution, the outgoing committee, led by President Md Anisuzzaman and Acting General Secretary Abul Hasan Himaloy, is expected to transfer responsibilities to the new committee within the next three days.