Lawyers Call for Election Boycott Over Constitutional Breaches

In a striking and unprecedented statement, 707 Supreme Court lawyers have denounced the upcoming 13th National Parliament election as unconstitutional and illegitimate, urging citizens to boycott the polls. According to the lawyers, the election is not a democratic exercise but rather a meticulously staged drama aimed at legitimising power while deliberately undermining the people’s right to vote.

In a joint declaration, the legal experts highlighted that the minimum prerequisites for a free and fair election—an impartial administration, freedom of expression, and equal political opportunity—are entirely absent in the current process. They argue that state machinery has been systematically exploited for partisan advantage, skewing the electoral playing field before voting has even begun.

The lawyers further allege a sustained pattern of harassment against opposition parties through arrests, intimidation, and administrative pressure. In such circumstances, participating in the election would, in their view, amount to condoning constitutional violations and granting legitimacy to injustice.

“Boycotting the election is not anti-state action. Rather, it is a constitutional duty to safeguard democracy and popular sovereignty,” the declaration reads. “History proves that power without public consent cannot endure, and elections conducted under fear can never reflect the true will of the people.”

The statement also questions the integrity of voter lists, noting that they have not been adequately updated and include deceased or fraudulent entries, undermining both transparency and credibility. Serious concerns were also raised about postal ballot manipulations and pre-arranged irregularities.

The lawyers emphasised that the Election Commission’s conduct, without independent and credible investigations into these allegations, contradicts the fundamental purpose of Article 118 of the Constitution, which enshrines impartial administration of elections.

Key Concerns Highlighted by Lawyers

The statement concluded by calling on citizens to reject the “farcical election” peacefully but resolutely, underscoring that non-participation is a legitimate means to defend constitutional principles and restore democratic norms.

Selected Signatories (707 Lawyers)

The full list of 707 signatories, representing legal voices from across the country, underscores the scale of the opposition to the electoral process as it currently stands.