Two elections today, two different scenarios

The premises of BFDC and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy are brimming with election festivities, as both Actors' Equity and Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association are gearing up for their respective elections.

The Bangladesh Film Artiste Association, as always, is mired with controversy and mud-slinging, as the participants are in a constant tussle for supremacy. This election has 428 voters, and much talk has been about the 184 artistes who were excluded from voting.

Banners and posters of both panels -- Ilias Kanchan- Nipun and Misha-Zayed, are posted all over the walls of BFDC.

Misha Sawdagor and Zayed Khan, working as president and general secretary respectively, had held an iron grip over the association for the last four years, which Ilias Kanchan and Nipun's team are eager to change.

Dhallywood celebrities are enjoying pleasantries with the party members, asking for votes and blessings from the artistes and crew members of the film fraternity.

The surge of overwhelming crowds, eager to catch a glimpse of their favourite artistes, have been witnessed at the premises on a regular basis, causing serious jeopardy to Covid protocols. Actress Anjana, a candidate of the elections, was annoyed and even drove back from the premises.

Another controversy rose with the popularity of an electoral song titled "Note Diye Vote Kinar Din Shesh" created by the Ilias Kanchan- Nipun panel. It pushed all the wrong buttons of their opponents.

An anonymous artiste also claimed that both the parties are throwing a lot of money to win the election.

Both the panels have also made a number of pledges to win the election. Misha-Zayed pledged accommodations for landless artistes, while Ilias Kanchan- Nipun promised the welfare of the artistes at all costs.

A different scenario can be seen in the Actors' Equity election campaign.

This is the first time that no senior artistes are participating, nor will there be any panels in the election. 48 candidates will take part, and among them, 21 will be elected. The candidates have been strictly asked to not arrange election campaign through posters. However, they can ask for votes through social media.

Noted thespian, director and playwright, Mamunur Rashid, is quite positive about the newcomers. He believes that the youth have a lot of energy and vitality, which will bring positive changes in the organisation.

Many television artistes are visiting various shooting houses in Uttara and media offices in Moghbazar, to ask for votes.

Two-time general secretary, Ahsan Habib Nasim, will be running for the post of president against Shahadat Hossain Nipu.

Rawnak Hasan and Kabir Tutul are contesting for the post of general secretary. Apart from them, popular artistes, including Tania Ahmed, Anisur Rahman Milon, Mousumi Hamid, Sazu Khadem, Shamima Tusty, Urmila Srabanti Kar, Pran Roy, and Azad Abul Kalam will be taking part in the election.

Regardless of whoever wins, the artistes pledged to work side-by-side with their competitors for the betterment of a languishing industry.