Cox’s Bazar: The Awami League–backed panel has secured a majority in the 2026 election of the Cox’s Bazar District Bar Association, winning seven out of 17 executive committee posts despite not fielding candidates in three positions.
adesh Awami League emerged as the single largest bloc on the 17-member executive committee. Meanwhile, the panel supported by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured six posts, and candidates backed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won four.
The election marked a shift from previous years, when BNP- and Jamaat-aligned lawyers often contested jointly. This time, Awami League, BNP and Jamaat supporters competed under separate panels in a three-way race. Nearly 50 candidates, including independents, contested the 17 posts. Around 900 lawyers in the district cast their votes in what observers described as a festive atmosphere.
Following recent changes in the national political landscape, the Awami League–backed panel did not nominate candidates for three posts. However, of the 14 positions they contested, they won seven, ensuring their dominance on the executive body.
Similar Trends in Lakshmipur and Kushtia
A similar pattern has been observed in other district bar association elections across the country.
In the recent election of the Lakshmipur District Bar Association held on February 25, the Awami League–supported panel did not field candidates for the president and general secretary posts. Nevertheless, they secured eight of the 15 available positions. BNP-aligned lawyers won six posts, while Jamaat failed to secure any position for the second consecutive term.
Earlier, in the election of the Kushtia District Bar Association, Awami League–backed and rebel candidates won 11 of 17 posts, taking control of the executive committee.
Despite shifts in the broader political context nationwide, the consistent victories of Awami League–aligned lawyers in several district bar association polls suggest a strong organizational base within the legal community, according to observers.
