Ctg Bar Association polls: Pro-AL lawyers allege obstruction in collecting nomination papers

Pro-Awami League lawyers alleged that they were obstructed and assaulted by BNP-backed lawyers while trying to collect and submit nomination papers today for the upcoming election of Chattogram District Bar Association (CDBA).

The incident took place at the Bar Library’s entrance in the Bar Association building.

Eyewitness lawyers said that around 3:00pm, a group of lawyers led by Abdur Rashid, a presidential candidate from the pro-Awami League panel, went to collect nomination forms under the banner of “Sadharan Ainjibi Parishad”.

They were allegedly blocked at the entrance to the Bar Library by BNP-backed lawyers.

As tension escalated, members of the election commission shut the Bar Library doors, after which pro-Awami League lawyers staged a sit-in, chanted slogans, and protested at the spot.

Fakhruddin Jabed, a contender for the general secretary post from the pro-Awami League panel, told The Daily Star, “We were not allowed to enter the Bar Library while attempting to collect nomination papers.”

“They did not allow us to contest in the last election either,” he said.

Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, member secretary of the Chattogram unit of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Lawyers Forum, said, “The activities of the Awami League are banned through order. In this situation, there is no environment for the party’s affiliated lawyers to participate in the election, nor do they have the opportunity to do so.”

Chief Election Commissioner Advocate Roushan Ara Begum told The Daily Star, “We have provided forms to whoever came to us. No one has lodged any complaint with me.”

According to court sources, the executive committee election for 2026 of the Chattogram District Bar Association is scheduled to be held on May 21 at the Bar Association auditorium.

For the election, nomination papers were set to be distributed and submitted from 3:00pm to 5:00pm today at the temporary election commission office located in the Bar Library.