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SCBA firm on polls despite govt ban

Staff Correspondent
The government yesterday banned holding of the election of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), a day before the poll, claiming that the association did not take prior permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in accordance with the Emergency Power Rules (EPR).
But SCBA's outgoing secretary AM Aminuddin told The Daily Star at 9:30pm yesterday that the bar election commission had not yet said anything about not holding the election, so it is hoped that the
poll would be held and the government will not create any obstacle in holding it.
A letter asking the SCBA to refrain from holding its election reached the SCBA office yesterday afternoon when the lawyers were making the last minute preparations for the poll.
Immediately after receiving the letter, the SCBA held an emergency meeting presided over by barrister Amir-Ul Islam at its office.
After the meeting, the SCBA sent a letter to the DMP commissioner, saying as per the EPR it is not
necessary to take its prior permission for holding the election.
The outgoing leaders of the association and election candidates urged all Supreme Court lawyers at the meeting to make the election as per schedule a success
Barrister Amir told The Daily Star that all senior lawyers concurred at the meeting that as per the EPR there is no necessity for taking any prior permission for holding the election.
In the EPR, the restriction is put on bringing out processions and rallies only, the lawyers said.
Holding the election is an internal affair of the Supreme Court. So, the government has no authority to give any decision regarding this, they observed at the meeting.
"Based on the senior advocates' opinions, the SCBA decided to send the DMP a letter informing that prior permission is not necessary for holding the election, "said Amir.
In reply to a question, he said allowing the SCBA to hold the election now depends on the government. "All is set to hold the election. The 30-member election commission is also ready to hold the election," he added.
THE DMP LETTER
The letter signed by DMP Additional Police Commissioner Shamsunnahar on behalf of the commissioner was sent to the SCBA secretary.
In the letter, the DMP said it came to know that preparations are going on for holding the SCBA election on March 24.
According to the EPR 2007, there is a provision for taking prior permission from the DMP commis-
sioner for holding such an election in Dhaka metropolitan area, it said.
The provision has been violated in this case, the letter said, asking the SCBA authority to refrain from holding the election.
Unlike the previous years, the SCBA election was set to’be held without any direct influence and backing of the political parties as a result of the state of emergency and the ban on politics.
A total of 40 candidates are contesting for 14 posts of the SCBA executive committee this year.
Six are vying for the post of SCBA president. They are barrister Shafique Ahmed, Humayun Hossain Khan, Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, Saifur Reza, AK Mojibur Rahman and Sirajul Islam Khan.
Contestants for the post of secretary are ABM Zahidul Haque, AKM Jahirul Haque, Badruddoza Badal, Nurul Islam Sujon, Awsafur Rahman Bulu and SM Abul Hossain.
The rest are contesting for the posts of two vice-presidents, a treasurer, two assistant secretaries and seven executive members.