Cox’s Bazar Correspondent:

Sayeed Mohammad Anwar, one of the founding members of the Ukhiya Press Club, has set a unique record by being elected president of the club for three consecutive terms—the first and only such achievement in the 35-year history of the organization.

According to the club’s constitution, no candidate can contest for the same post for more than three consecutive terms. In accordance with the provision, Anwar has decided not to contest the presidency in the upcoming election, paving the way for new leadership.

“I have had the opportunity to serve as president of the Ukhiya Press Club for three consecutive terms. Out of respect for the constitution, I have decided not to contest for the post this time. I wanted to create an opportunity for new faces to come forward and develop new leadership,” Sayeed Mohammad Anwar said.

According to local journalists, Anwar was elected directly by the club members and has served as president for three consecutive terms since December 5, 2019.

Since the establishment of the Ukhiya Press Club on October 27, 1991, no other individual has been elected president for three consecutive terms. Anwar has also never lost an election for any post at the Ukhiya Press Club.

Over the years, he has also served several times as the convener and chief election commissioner of the Ukhiya Press Club.

Anwar has been directly involved in journalism since the mid-1990s. During his long career, he served for more than one and a half decades in various editorial positions, including Executive Editor and News Editor of Dainik Inani, the first colour newspaper published in Cox’s Bazar; News Editor of Dainik Dainandin; and Acting Editor of Dainik Ajker Desh Bidesh.

He has also worked for several leading national newspapers and satellite television channels for extended periods.

At present, he is associated with the national English daily The Daily Post, national Bangla daily Alokito Bangladesh, regional daily Chadgãr Chokh, and national online news portal Barta Bazar.

Senior and junior members of the Ukhiya Press Club said Anwar played an important role during his tenure in protecting the interests of the press club, upholding the professional dignity of journalists, maintaining unity among members, and promoting their welfare.

According to the announced election schedule, the biennial election of the Ukhiya Press Club for the 2027–2028 term is scheduled to be held on September 8.

Nurul Islam Helali, president of the Journalists’ Union Cox’s Bazar and a senior journalist, is serving as the convener of the election commission.

Senior journalist Momtaz Uddin Bahari, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Press Club, and senior journalist Jasim Uddin Chowdhury, a member of the legal advisory committee of the Ukhiya Press Club, are serving as members of the commission.