KARACHI, July 21: A total of 18 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the election of six directors of the Fishermen Cooperative Society for a three-year term.

The elections, first of its kind, will be held through a secret ballot on Aug 4 under the supervision of the Registrar Cooperative Societies. Of the 18 candidates who have filed their nominations, 15 are bona fide fishermen candidates while three are non-bona fide fishermen candidates.

Earlier, these directors were elected by a show of hands by the members of fishermen community who are eligible members and share-holders of the Society. According to the society's bylaws, the management of the business and affairs of the society shall be entrusted to a board of directors, comprising 15 members - eight to be nominated by the government while seven to be elected by shareholders.

Amongst them, six directors are to be elected by bona fide fishermen by all share-holders of the society. It will be followed by the election of one more director from amongst members admitted according to the Society's By-law 11 (aa) by all the share-holders of the Society.

A list of the candidates shows that all the senior directors and heavy-weights are in the field. They include the present chairman of the FCS Abuzur (Khadda) and directors Haji Shafi Mohammad Jamote (Ibrahim Haideri), Haji Mohammad Yunis (Shamspir/ Yunisabad), Ghulam Ali Mech (Bhit Island), Salim Deedag Baloch (Mubarak village) and Habibullah Baloch (Lal Bakar).

Among the new contestants include some prominent personalities from Bhit Island Haji Ahmed Kutchi, Mohammad Yaqub, Mohammad Usman (Lal Watti Mollah Khadda), Shahmir Khan Niazi and Habibullah Khan Niazi.

There are a total of 11,170 registered share-holders of the society who are entitled to cast their votes. The election results would be announced on number of highest votes polled in favour of successive candidates.

The FCS was established in 1945 under the name of Karachi Fishermen Cooperative Purchase & Sale Society and registered with Registrar Cooperative Societies, Karachi. Initially, the office of the society was established at Khadda. Later on it was shifted to Serai Road and after that it shifted to its present site, Karachi Fish Harbour.

The objectives of the society are to take measures for the welfare and benefit of the poor fishermen and to supply daily requirements at reduced rates. Other objectives of the society are to improve the condition of fishermen, who are its members by encouraging thrift, self-help and cooperation among them.