The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) members have decided not to allow pro-Awami League lawyers to contest its upcoming annual election scheduled for May 13 and 14, as the party’s activities have been prohibited by law.

The decision was taken at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of SCBA general members at its South Hall yesterday afternoon.

The meeting was presided over by SCBA Senior Vice President Humayun Kabir Manju, a pro-BNP lawyer, where around 300 lawyers were present.

Most of them were supporters of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, SCBA sources said.

SCBA Secretary Barrister Md Mahfuzur Rahman Milon, who conducted the EGM, told The Daily Star that around 100 members had earlier requested the SCBA leadership to hold the meeting to decide on barring pro-AL lawyers from contesting the election, as the party’s activities are banned under the Anti Terrorism Act, 2009.

Accordingly, the EGM was held, and the decision was taken based on the opinions of general members, he said.

Lawyers who were supporters of Sammilita Ainjibi Samannay Parishad or Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad, backed by the Awami League, and held positions in those bodies, will not be allowed to run in the SCBA election under the decision, he said.

However, the SCBA secretary said the lawyers can contest the election independently.

Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Milon said the EGM decision will be informed to the SCBA election commission, led by retired High Court judge Justice Miftah Uddin Choudhury, for taking necessary measures.

He said the SCBA election will be free and fair, with lawyers backed by BNP, Jamaat, and other political parties participating. More than 8,000 lawyers have registered as voters.

The two-day election will be held on May 13 and 14 to elect leaders for 14 executive posts of the SCBA, including president and secretary, for the next one year, as per a previous decision of its incumbent executive body.