Pro-Liberation (‘Pro-71’) Lawyers Protest Over Irregularities in Supreme Court Bar Election Process
Article by Kazi Mamun
Dhaka, April 29, 2026 — Lawyers identifying as pro-liberation (“Pro-71”) staged a protest at the Supreme Court premises, alleging serious irregularities, lack of transparency, and constitutional violations in the ongoing election process of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
The demonstration took place in front of the Supreme Court, where protesting lawyers condemned what they described as an “illegal, unconstitutional, biased, and pre-planned” attempt to influence the Bar’s 2026–27 election by arbitrarily cancelling valid nominations.
Allegations of Unlawful Nomination Cancellation
According to the protesters, the election process deviated from the Bar’s long-standing democratic traditions. More than 40 candidates had submitted valid nomination papers, but several were reportedly disqualified without proper justification.
The press release claims that provisions of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 2009 (amended 2021) were wrongly applied to Bar elections—something the protesting lawyers argue has no legal basis.
Claims of Unilateral Actions
Protesting lawyers alleged that key decisions were taken unilaterally, particularly by the Bar’s General Secretary, who announced candidate names without conducting the customary scrutiny (“jachaai-bachai”) session in the presence of candidates and members.
They emphasized that no objections were filed against the candidates during the nomination phase, yet several nominations were still rejected, raising concerns about fairness and due process.
Controversial Special General Meeting
A special general meeting held on April 26, 2026, has also come under criticism. According to the protesters, the meeting lasted only about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and key decisions were made hastily without meaningful discussion or participation.
They argue that such a short and rushed meeting undermines the credibility of the election process and violates established norms of transparency and accountability.
Demand for Fair Election and Re-Scrutiny
The Pro-71 lawyers have demanded that the decisions taken during the special meeting be reconsidered. They called for a fresh and transparent scrutiny process that ensures equal opportunity for all candidates.
They warned that if the current situation is not addressed, it could damage the 77-year legacy of the Supreme Court Bar Association and erode trust in one of the country’s most important legal institutions.
Commitment to Democratic Norms
The protesting lawyers reaffirmed their commitment to democratic values and called on the Bar authorities to uphold constitutional principles and ensure a free, fair, and participatory election process.
Views expressed are those of the author(s)
