The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) yesterday accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice MA Aziz of violating the constitution by not taking into confidence the two other election commissioners in-the matter of preparing the voter list

"The CEC's initiative to make a fresh voter list ignoring the opinions of the two other election commissioners is a suicidal step for democracy and future elections in this country, " SCBA Secretary M Enayetur Rahim told a press briefing at the South Hall of the SCBA yesterday.

The two other election commissioners are being excluded as per the ruling alliance blueprint for the next elections, Rahim said in a written statement, adding, "The controversial process by the controversial individuals is being done under the suggestions and influence of a sinister force within the commission secretariat."

While hearing on two writ petitions filed against the EC's unilateral decision of making the fresh voter list is scheduled for tomorrow, the process to make a fresh voter list starts today.

The CEC's attempt to expedite the fresh voter listing process, before the disposal of the two writ petitions, expresses lack of confidence in and disrespect for the court, the SCBA secretary said.

Advocate Enayet urged Justice MA Aziz to keep himself above any controversy by not falling into a conspiracy by the evil groups so that he (MA Aziz) does not suffer the same fate as former chief election commissioner Justice AKM Sadeque.

"Justice AKM Sadeque has

become a neglected person in the history of Bangladesh through losing his dignity by holding the election on the lines of the blueprint on February 15, 1996, to satisfy the then power-greedy ruling party," he said.

He said the government is continuously committing contempt of court by not complying with the Supreme Court directives in the Masdar Hossain case for separating the judiciary from the executive after the Supreme Court, on October 20, had refused to entertain a government petition seeking time in this regard.

The SCBA leaders demanded that the government give Tk 50 lakh before Eid-ul Azha in damages to the family members of each of the 20 victims who were killed in the bomb attacks in Gazipur, Jhalakathi, Chittagong and Netrokona.

They also demanded that the government take proper security measures on the court premises across the country, as the courts reopen today after a month-long winter vacation.

SCBA leaders advocates Subrata Chowdhury, Mainul Islam Chowdhury, Shah Zahirul Haque, Abdus Salam Mandal, Mohammad Salim, Jahangir Hossain Salim, Azherullah Bhuiyan, Rabiul Alam, among others, were present at the press conference.