Pro-AL lawyers allege obstruction in collecting nomination forms for Ctg bar polls

Pro-Awami League lawyers have alleged that pro-BNP lawyers obstructed them from collecting nomination forms for the Chattogram District Bar Association election.

They claimed that although they went to collect forms within the scheduled time today (4 May), they were unable to enter the library room where the forms were being distributed.

Confirming the matter, Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Aftab Uddin said tension had built between two groups over the collection of nomination forms.

"Additional police were deployed at the scene after receiving the information. No unpleasant incident had been reported so far," the OC added.

According to the election schedule, nomination forms were to be distributed and submitted between 3pm and 5pm. Around 3:05pm, pro-Awami League lawyers and left-leaning groups went to the association's library under the banner of the 'General Lawyers Forum', but alleged that they were denied entry.

AHM Zia Uddin, former general secretary of the Chattogram District Bar Association, said, "When pro-Liberation War lawyers went to collect nomination forms, BNP lawyers obstructed them.

"Like last time, we were not allowed to take the forms this time either. Although the election commissioner was present in the library, no assistance or action was taken," Zia added.

Advocate Abdur Rashid, a candidate for the post of president and former metropolitan public prosecutor, said, "Even after arriving on time, we could not enter the library auditorium. Meanwhile, one party was already inside, and they collected the forms. We tried calling the chief election commissioner, but he did not respond."

During the incident, pro-Awami League lawyers staged a protest in front of the library, chanting slogans such as "vote thief" and "fake".

Chief Election Officer Advocate Roushan Ara Begum said, "Who obstructs whom is not our concern. Those who came here were given nomination forms, and submissions were also received."

The pro-Awami League lawyers claimed that this was not an isolated incident. They alleged that they were similarly excluded last year, resulting in one panel being declared elected unopposed.

They said that in the 133-year-old association, one party is trying to maintain unilateral dominance by disrupting the election process, which they described as "shameful" and contrary to democratic practices.

According to the election schedule announced by the commission, scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on 5 May, hearings on objections on 6 May, withdrawal on 8 May, and the final list of candidates will be published on 9 May.

Voting is scheduled to take place on 21 May from 9am to 4pm.