India, Feb. 11 -- A group of Bangladeshi lawyers has expressed grave concern over the upcoming national election, describing it as a "dangerous deviation" from the country's democratic traditions and announcing their decision to boycott the poll. They warned that the election risks becoming a staged exercise rather than a genuine expression of the people's will.

The group of more than 700 lawyers had previously been largely aligned with the Awami League party led by Sheikh Hasina. In a press statement issued on Sunday, the lawyers said the forthcoming polls undermine constitutional guarantees of voting rights, freedom of expression, and meaningful political participation. According to them, organising an election without ensuring free, e...