Tensions flare over Ctg Bar election nomination access

CHATTOGRAM, May 4: A scuffle broke out on Monday between BNP and 'Awami-leaning' aspiring lawyers over the collection of nomination papers for next Chittagong District Bar Association elections The incident occurred at about 3pm on the entrance of the Bar Library of the Bar Association Building in the Chittagong Court House. 

It was learnt, at about 3pm, a group of lawyers led by Advocate Abdur Rashid, President Candidate from the Awami League(AL)-backed panel, tried to enter the Bar Library to collect nomination papers but was stopped at the entrance, leading to the scuffle.

 AL-backed aspirants alleged the BNP-backed candidates prevented them from collecting the nomination form. Yet, BNP-backed lawyers denied this allegation. But they claimed that as the activity of AL is banned, that party-backed lawyers do not have the opportunity to participate in the election.

Later, Election Commission (EC) members closed doors of the Bar Library to control the situation.AL-supported President Candidate Abdur Rashid alleged they were prevented from entering when they went to collect nomination papers to participate in the election as general lawyers. As a result, they could not collect forms.Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, Member Secretary of the Nationalist Lawyers Forum Chittagong, said that in the current situation, AL-supported lawyers do not have the opportunity to participate in the election.

Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Aftab Uddin confirmed the mater. On this information, additional police have been deployed on the spot, and no untoward incident has occurred so far, OC added.

According to the election schedule, interested candidates were allowed to collect nomination papers from the temporary office (Bar Library) of the EC from 3pm to 5pm Monday. 

Nomination forms must be filled and submitted within the same time. The selection of nomination papers will be made on Tuesday (today-May 5. 

The objection hearing will be held on May 6; the withdrawal of nominations on May 8; and the final candidate list will be published on May 9.