Some disgruntled business leaders however said the change was only aimed at getting certain aspirants elected to the top posts following a 'consensus'.

The new election schedule was made in the absence of three elected executive committee (EC) members, who has no idea about the changed schedule.

"They are accompanying the prime minister as entourage to China and are scheduled to return home on August 21," said a business leader.

"What will happen if any of these members had the desire to contest for the post of president or vice-president?" another business leader posed the question.

Some senior business leaders involved in the FBCCI election said the election board was pressurised to announce the new schedule to make way for consensus candidates and to prevent any rival candidates from announcing their candidature.

Denying allegations of government's pressure, Lt Col (rtd) Anisuzzaman, chairman of the election board, said the new schedule was announced as per FBCCI constitution. "Even, we talked to legal experts before announcing the fresh schedule."

About the three EC members now China, Anisuzzaman said the election board has nothing to do if any aspirants do not know the new schedule or do not take part in the voting.

Under the changed schedule, candidates for the post of president, first vice-president and vice-president will have to submit nomination papers by 1:30pm today and the election board will publish a list of primary candidates at 2:00pm. The time limit for withdrawal of candidature is 3:00pm while the final list of valid candidates will be published at 3:30pm.

Polling for the three top posts will be held from 4:30pm to 5:30pm and the election board will publish poll results soon after the closing of voting. 24 elected and 14 nominated directors, who comprise executive committee, will elect the top leadership.

Nomination fee for the post of president is Tk 1 lakh and that for vice-president is Tk 50 thousand.

Seeking anonymity, a disgruntled presidential aspirant said the new schedule has been made following pressure from a certain quarter having strong hold in the government.

Direct election to elect 24 EC members was not needed because of so-called 'consensus' candidates as other aspirants withdrew from the race.

All the 24 government-backed candidates got elected unopposed from the chamber and the association group. They have also been asked to elect the president who has already been 'chosen', the aspirant for the post said.