Tension Erupts at Chittagong Bar Over Nomination Papers

Tensions flared between BNP-backed lawyers and members of the banned Awami League on Monday as the collection of nomination papers began for the Chittagong District Bar Association elections.

The incident occurred around 3:00 PM at the entrance of the Bar Library in the Chittagong Court House.

Pro-Awami League lawyers, led by Advocate Abdur Rashid, alleged they were physically barred from entering the library to collect their forms. Rashid, who intended to run for President, argued that they were participating as general lawyers and should not be denied their professional rights.

In contrast, the Nationalist Lawyers Forum (BNP-backed) maintained that because the Awami League is currently a banned entity in Bangladesh, its supporters have no legal standing to participate in the association's elections.

To prevent a physical escalation, the Election Commission (EC) temporarily locked the Bar Library doors. Pro-Awami League activists subsequently gathered outside, chanting slogans in protest.

Chief Election Commissioner Rowshan Ara confirmed that the police were notified of the obstruction. According to the current schedule, the election timeline remains as follows:

May 5 Selection of nomination papers, May 6 Objection hearings May 8 Withdrawal deadline, May 9 Final candidate list publication May 21 Election day

Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Aftab Uddin stated that additional forces were deployed to the court premises immediately. While the atmosphere remained tense, no major violence was reported.