BNP-backed panel secures clean sweep in Ctg Bar Association polls amid boycott, protests

BNP-backed Jatiotabadi Ainjibi Forum candidates swept all 21 posts in yesterday’s Chittagong District Bar Association election, amid a boycott by Jamaat-backed lawyers, protests on court premises and allegations of irregularities surrounding the voting process. 

Of the 21 posts, nine were filled unopposed.

The chief election commissioner, Roushan Ara Begum, said, “The association has 4,500 registered voters, of whom 2,174 cast their ballots. Nine candidates, including the president and general secretary, were elected unopposed, while voting was held for one vice-president and 11 executive member posts.”

She added that Jamaat-e-Islami-backed candidates had not withdrawn their nominations.

Tension and protests were reported on the court premises as opposing lawyers expressed anger over what they described as a one-sided election, while BNP-aligned lawyers voted inside the auditorium and rival groups protested in different areas.

Reports also say that a group sang protest songs near the Shapla Bhaban gate, while a scuffle broke out over “Joy Bangla” slogans.

Journalists covering the election allegedly faced obstruction, including claims that a private TV channel reporter was pushed out.

Although 12 candidates from the Jamaat-backed Oikkyoboddho Ainjibi Parishad remained in the race, they boycotted the election on the eve of polling.

They alleged that the election commission failed to publish and distribute a valid voter list as required and that the final list of valid candidates was not properly disclosed.

Awami League-aligned lawyers reportedly could not participate in the election, as they were obstructed while attempting to collect nomination forms on 4 May under the General Lawyers’ Council banner after the schedule was announced on 1 May.

As a result, they were excluded from the process from the beginning.

With the subsequent boycott by Jamaat-aligned lawyers, the election effectively became one-sided and uncontested.

In the final results, Tariq Ahmed was elected president and Moinuddin general secretary. 

Former general secretary AHM Zia Uddin described the election as a “planned attempt to capture the association.”

He alleged irregularities and called it a politically motivated takeover of the bar body.

Lawyers said the 133-year-old association’s electoral process has been undermined, calling the situation “disgraceful” and contrary to democratic norms.