In a dramatic turn of events at the Lakshmipur District Bar Association’s annual election, BNP-backed candidates clinched six key posts, including president and general secretary, while Awami League-supported contenders secured the majority of positions despite an earlier declaration of boycott.
The results were announced late at night by Chief Election Commissioner and senior lawyer A.K.M. Humayun Kabir following daylong voting held in a festive atmosphere. A total of 15 posts were contested in the election, with candidates backed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Awami League, and one independent contender emerging victorious in different categories. No candidate supported by Jamaat-e-Islami managed to win any post.
According to the official results, Md. Monirul Islam Howlader was elected president and Md. Rafiqul Ullah as general secretary—both backed by the BNP panel.
Among other positions, Abdul Majid Chowdhury (BNP) and Abul Khayer (Awami League) were elected as vice-presidents. Fakhrul Islam Jewel (BNP) and Chandmoni Mohan (Awami League) won the posts of joint secretaries. Mosharraf Hossain (BNP) was elected library secretary, while Jamal Uddin (Awami League) secured the cultural secretary position. Rakibul Hasan Opu (Awami League) was elected audit secretary.
For the executive member posts, the winners were Azhar Uddin Rocky (Awami League), Nurul Huda Murad (Independent), Yusuf (Awami League), Md. Yusuf Manik (Awami League), Abdullah Al Noman (Awami League), and Zafar Ahmed (BNP).Awami League Scores Despite Boycott Notice
Earlier, a notice issued by the Lakshmipur district unit of the Bangabandhu Awami Ainjeebi Parishad stated that, in line with a decision of its convening committee, the organization would not participate in this year’s election.
However, contrary to the official declaration, Awami League-backed lawyers contested several posts except for president and general secretary—and went on to secure eight positions, the highest among all panels.
No formal statement was obtained from responsible leaders of the organization regarding the apparent contradiction. Speaking anonymously, a former Awami League-backed president of the bar association said the decision not to contest the top two posts was made considering the prevailing political context. Although the Bangabandhu Awami Ainjeebi Parishad had announced non-participation, its panel ultimately contested other positions and achieved significant success.
The outcome highlights the complex political dynamics within the Lakshmipur legal community, where party alignments continue to shape bar association leadership contests.
