Dhaka, May 21 -- Only pro-BNP lawyers are casting their ballots in the executive committee elections of the local bar association following a total boycott by the pro-Jamaat panel.

Voting began at 9am on Thursday at the Chittagong District Bar Association building auditorium, drawing active participation from the BNP-backed Jatiotabadi Ainjibi Forum.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-aligned Oikkobodho Ainjibi Parishad completely shunned the polls and launched a protest rally near the Sonali Bank square near Chittagong Court building around 12:30pm.

Earlier in the morning, BNP-aligned lawyers were seen stationed in the same vicinity.

Chief Election Commissioner Roushan Ara Begum noted during the afternoon that voting has been proceeding peacefully ...