DHAKA, May 5: Tensions have increased in Bangladesh ahead of the Chattogram District Bar Association (CDBA) election, with pro-Awami League lawyers alleging obstruction and intimidation by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-aligned lawyers during the nomination process.
The incident took place on Monday at the Bar Library entrance when a group led by Awami League-aligned presidential candidate Abdur Rashid went to collect nomination papers under the banner of “Sadharan Ainjibi Parishad.”
According to local media reports, they were blocked by pro-BNP lawyers and prevented from entering the library.
The situation escalated when election commission members reportedly locked the library doors, prompting the group to protest outside.
Several lawyers claimed they were being systematically excluded from bar association elections.
One candidate, Fakhruddin Jabed, said they were denied access to nomination forms and alleged similar exclusion in earlier elections, preventing them from contesting.
BNP-aligned representatives argued that Awami League-linked political activity among lawyers is currently banned, making participation in elections inappropriate under the circumstances. The CDBA election is scheduled for May 21, but concerns over fairness have already emerged.
Similar disputes have been reported in bar association elections in Dhaka, Barishal, Manikganj, and Cumilla, where pro-Awami League lawyers allegedly faced restrictions, threats, or obstacles to campaigning. In Cumilla, some said they were allowed to contest but faced intimidation that limited campaigning.
In the Supreme Court Bar Association elections, many nomination papers were rejected due to alleged political links, drawing criticism and accusations of bias.
These repeated exclusions across multiple bar elections have raised concerns about fairness, political influence, and growing polarization within Bangladesh’s legal institutions. (IANS)
