A total of 2,759 votes were cast on the first day of the Dhaka Bar Association election for the 2026-2027 Executive Committee, with voting held from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday.
Voting will continue on Thursday, from 9am to 5pm. The association has 21,731 eligible voters this year.
Chief Election Commissioner Advocate Borhan Uddin told TIMES that voters faced slight inconvenience due to morning rain, but the process was peaceful.
“No complaints have been received from any candidate or panel. Tomorrow, the turnout will increase,” he said.
Candidates from both panels also reported smooth proceedings. Advocate Kamal Khan, Secretary candidate of the BNP-backed Blue Panel, said, “Voter turnout was low due to rain. We have not received any news of vote rigging. Voting was peaceful.”
Jahirul Islam, a member candidate of the Jamaat-NCP-backed Green Panel, echoed the sentiment: “Voting was conducted peacefully today. There was no trouble.”
In the changed political landscape following the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, lawyers backed by BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad are contesting under the “Blue Panel” (Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Ainjeevi Oikya Panel).
Lawyers backed by Jamaat and the National Citizen Party (NCP) have united under the “Green Panel” (Ainjeevi Oikya Parishad). Pro-Awami League lawyers do not have a panel this election.
A total of 54 candidates — 46 from both panels (23 each) and 8 independents — are contesting for 23 posts, including President and General Secretary.
