Pro-Awami League lawyers allege obstruction in CDBA election nomination

Allegations of blocked access have reignited tensions at the Chittagong Bar ahead of its executive committee polls

Tensions have flared at the Chittagong District Bar Association (CDBA) following alleged prevention of a section of lawyers from buying nomination forms for the executive committee election.

The Sadharan Ainjibi Forum, a coalition of pro-Awami League and left-leaning lawyers, claimed that their rivals occupied the association’s library to block their entry during the designated filing window.

According to the election schedule, nomination forms were to be collected and submitted between 3pm and 5pm on Monday.

The forum members reported that they found the library doors inaccessible shortly after the session began.

"Just like last year, we are being denied the opportunity to collect forms," former CDBA general secretary AHM Zia Uddin told bdnews24.com.

Advocate Abdur Rashid, the forum’s presidential candidate and former metropolitan public prosecutor, echoed these concerns.

"We arrived on time but could not enter the library auditorium. Another group was already inside, completing their filings. I have been repeatedly calling the chief election commissioner, but there has been no response."

In protest, lawyers gathered outside the library, staging protests.

Chief Election Official Advocate Roushan Ara Begum did not respond to multiple phone calls seeking comment on the allegations of obstruction.

The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on May 5.

The deadline for withdrawal of candidacy is set for May 8.

The final list of candidates will be published on May 9.

Voting is scheduled to take place on May 21.

The current unrest follows a highly contentious election cycle in 2025.

On Apr 13 last year, the CDBA declared the entire BNP-Jamaat-backed panel victorious across all 21 posts after no rival candidates were able to file nominations.