Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, a body of pro-BNP lawyers, today demanded cancellation of Bangladesh Bar Council election which was held on May 14.

Brining allegations of irregularities and corruption in the election, they also called upon the authorities concerned for holding a fresh election in the statutory body regulating the country’s lawyers.

“We are strongly demanding immediate investigation into corruption taking place in the Bar Council election and punishment of the persons involved in corruption. We are also demanding resignation of the election commissioner and the attorney general for the unprecedented corruption,” JAF Secretary General Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon said.

He was speaking to a press conference organised by JAF at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium. 

Barrister Mahbub Uddin said many non-lawyers cast votes and original lawyers could not cast vote during the polling at Dhaka Bar Association as the election officials allowed to them to cast vote without checking their identity cards.

Meanwhile, today, advocate SM Rezaul Karim, law secretary of ruling Awami League, at another press conference at the same place, refuted the allegationsplaced by the JAF.

He said the election to Bangladesh Bar Councilwas held strictly following the relevant laws and rules, and there was not irregularities and corruption in the election.

Pro-BNP lawyers brought the allegation irregularities and corruption to save themselves from the sorrow of defeat in the Bar Council election and Khulna City Corporation election, he added.

Advocate SM Rezaul Karim said AL lawyers’ panel won in 12 posts out of total 14 in the Bar Council election as per unofficial verbal results of the election.

BNP nominated panel won in only two posts in the election, he said, adding the result of the election will be officially announced after the results from different polling centres from across the country will reach the Bangladesh Bar Council office.