As the nation approaches the thirteenth parliamentary election, a coalition of 707 lawyers from the Supreme Court has declared the electoral process unconstitutional and called for a boycott of the vote. In a joint statement, the legal professionals described the election as not a democratic exercise but rather a “staged performance” designed to legitimise those in power, effectively stifling the citizens’ right to vote.
The statement highlighted that fundamental conditions for a free and fair election—an impartial administration, freedom of expression, and equal political opportunity—are conspicuously absent. The lawyers allege that the state machinery has been co-opted for partisan purposes, turning the election into a one-sided affair. Opposition parties are reportedly facing a systematic campaign of harassment, including legal cases, arrests, intimidation, and administrative pressure. Participating in such a process, the lawyers argue, would amount to endorsing unconstitutional practices.
Emphasising that abstention from voting is not an anti-state action, the statement frames it as a constitutional duty to safeguard democracy and the sovereignty of the people. The lawyers urged citizens to reject what they termed a “mock electoral exercise” and take a peaceful yet firm stand against unlawful practices in order to protect democratic integrity.
The group also raised serious concerns regarding the accuracy and transparency of voter lists and postal ballot arrangements. According to the lawyers, electoral rolls have not been properly updated, with deceased and fraudulent voters still included. Furthermore, they criticised the administration for participating actively in the election rather than remaining neutral, rendering the process inconsistent with constitutional and fair election principles.
For illustration, the statement published the names of 25 of the 707 lawyers involved:
| S/N | Lawyer’s Name | S/N | Lawyer’s Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adv. Mahid Uddin | 14 | Adv. Anis Uddin Shahid |
| 2 | Adv. Mohammad Ali Azam | 15 | Adv. Abdul Malek |
| 3 | Adv. Masud Hossain Dolon | 16 | Adv. Abul Kalam Azad |
| 4 | Adv. Sahabuddin Raju | 17 | Adv. Abdus Sattar Dulal |
| 5 | Adv. S. M. Munir | 18 | Adv. Mostafa Abul Hossain |
| 6 | Adv. A. M. Amin Uddin | 19 | Adv. Mohiuddin Dewan |
| 7 | Adv. Fazlul Rahman Khan | 20 | Adv. S. M. Shafiqul Islam Babul |
| 8 | Adv. Hosne Ara Begum (Bably) | 21 | Adv. Anowara Shah Jahan |
| 9 | Adv. Anisur Rahman Dipu | 22 | Adv. Jannatul Ferdousi Rupa |
| 10 | Adv. Md. Abul Hashem | 23 | Adv. Md. Forkan Miah |
| 11 | Adv. Kazi Md. Shahin | 24 | Adv. Mahfuza Begum Saida |
| 12 | Adv. Syed Golam Masud Babul | 25 | Adv. Nazma Akter Kausar |
| 13 | Adv. Anisur Rahman Khan | – | – |
The lawyers warned that participating in the election under the current conditions would be tantamount to silently endorsing an unjust and unconstitutional process. They emphasised that rejecting the process peacefully, rather than resorting to violence, would empower citizens to uphold democracy.