Dhaka: The 11-party opposition alliance, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, submitted the nomination paper of its presidential candidate Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed on Thursday, in preparation for the election scheduled for August 20.
According to United News of Bangladesh, a delegation headed by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad submitted the nomination paper to Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at 11:49 am at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon. The nomination saw Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman MP propose Oli Ahmed as the candidate, with NCP lawmaker Abdullah Al Amin seconding the proposal.
The opposition alliance had previously announced LDP Chairman Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed as its chosen candidate for the presidency. The Election Commission had earlier declared the election schedule on August 06, with August 20 fixed for voting. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, acting as the returning officer, has called a meeting of the Members of Parliament for voting on the same day, following the Presidential Election Act, 1991.
The election schedule stipulates that the nomination papers will undergo scrutiny on August 16, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is August 18. Voting will be conducted from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on August 20 in the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad, with 349 MPs participating as voters. Currently, the Chattogram-4 parliamentary seat remains vacant.
This election marks the first presidential contest in 35 years to involve more than one candidate, with voting to be held in accordance with the procedures established in 1991. The name of Local Government and Rural Development Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emerged in media reports as a potential candidate from the BNP.
Previously, on July 24, Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned as President, and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assumed the role of acting president. As stipulated by Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the presidential vacancy must occur within 90 days following the resignation.