The National Law Alliance (NLA), the lawyers’ wing of National Citizen Party (NCP), has demanded the immediate announcement of a date for the Bangladesh Bar Council elections.
NCP Law Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa made the demand during a briefing held on Thursday, in front of the Supreme Court Annex Building.
Other officials present included NLA Convenor SM Ajmal Hossain, Member Secretary and Deputy Attorney General Ershadul Bari Khandaker, Joint Convenor Barrister Mostafa Sharifi, Joint Member Secretaries Lababul Bashar and Ruhi Samsad Ara, and NCP Joint Convenor Mujahidul Islam Shahin.
Musa noted that a gazette had previously been published scheduling the Bangladesh Bar Council elections for 19 May.
According to that gazette, Thursday was the final deadline for the collection and submission of nomination forms. The NLA, supported by the NCP, had already decided to field a full panel for all 14 positions, and lawyers from across the country had collected their forms accordingly.
However, Musa pointed out that a late-night press release from the Bar Council announced the postponement of the 19 May election.
“We clearly demand that the Bar Council election must be announced immediately. Voting must be held according to the law; there is no alternative,” Musa stated. He expressed concerns that if the election is not held, supporters of the BNP might attempt to illegally occupy the Bar Council under the guise of forming an “ad hoc committee.”
The NLA also criticised a late-night press release issued by the Bar Council regarding Masdar Hossain, describing it as a “completely illegal notice.”
Musa argued that, under Bar Council regulations, if an allegation is made against someone, a tribunal must be formed to provide the individual with an opportunity to defend themselves and be heard before a decision is reached.
He asserted that the Bar Council law does not provide for the suspension of a professional licence through a meeting of the council.
The NLA believes the move against Masdar Hossain is “politically motivated,” noting his role as the plaintiff in the landmark Masdar Hossain case and his active advocacy for the independence of the judiciary.
