Prof Dr Syed Ferhat Anwar resigned as chairman of the BGMEA Election Board on Wednesday.
He submitted his resignation letter to Dr Rubana Huq, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), citing personal reasons.
Dr Huq confirmed the receiving of the resignation letter.
Terming Dr Anwar's resignation 'extremely unfortunate," she said, it was not expected "as he is known to be a person of highest moral standard."
She, however, said, "It is natural to perceive that heading Election Board is a challenging task under pressure. He had cited personal reasons for stepping down."
The BGMEA chief hoped that Dr Anwar will reconsider his decision since the election is only three weeks away.
Otherwise, she said, the biggest trade body of exporters will be in a very difficult situation, leaving them to find a solution very quickly.
When asked, Faruque Hassan, leader of Sammilito Parishad, a panel contesting the election, said he heard about the resignation and would request Dr Anwar to reconsider the decision.
The BGMEA election is scheduled to be held on April 04.
BGMEA sources said that one of the two remaining members of the election board could be made the chairman and the board can incorporate others if needed.
The BGMEA Election Board, led by Prof Dr Anwar, was formed in January of this year to conduct the biennial election for the 35 posts of the directors of the trade body for the term of 2021-23.
ABM Shamsuddin, managing director of Hannan Group, is heading Forum, another panel, from which Dr Huq, the current BGMEA chief, is contesting the election.
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