Mohammed Hanif elected TOAB president
President-elect defeats rival by 34 votes; first vice-president race decided by just four votes
ATT Correspondent 
Mohammed Hanif has been elected president of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) for the 2026-2028 term, defeating rival candidate Md Taslim Amin Shovon by 34 votes in a closely contested election.
According to preliminary results announced on Tuesday, Hanif secured 178 votes, while Shovon received 144.
The race for first vice-president was the closest contest of the election, with Syed Shafat Uddin Ahmed Tomal winning by just four votes. Tomal secured 163 votes against Salauddin Ahmed's 159.
Md Moinul Islam was elected vice-president-1 with a decisive victory, receiving 240 votes compared with 82 for Kabir Ahmad Momin. Ziaur Rahman Zakir won the vice-president-2 post with 176 votes, defeating Sheikh Kamruljaman Rony, who secured 146 votes.
The election also produced clear winners in most director positions, indicating strong support for the victorious panel among TOAB members.
Among the general director candidates, Mohammad Mohiuddin emerged as the highest vote-getter, securing 292 votes. Md Tamim Ahmed received 196 votes, while Md Nurul Anwar won a director's post with 183 votes.
Industry stakeholders described the outcome as a strong mandate for the new leadership, which will lead the country's apex body for tour operators over the next two years at a time when efforts are under way to expand tourism, strengthen international connectivity and improve industry standards.
The results are preliminary and were announced by the TOAB Election Board, headed by chairman Md Helal Uddin.
