The Election Commission (EC) has declared the candidacy of BNP-nominated candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir valid for the upcoming presidential election.
The decision was announced on Sunday (August 16) after the scrutiny of nomination papers at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, who is serving as the election officer for the presidential election, confirmed the validity of Fakhrul’s candidacy.
The formal scrutiny of nomination papers submitted by the candidates was conducted in the CEC’s conference room at the Election Commission building.
BNP Standing Committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy were present on behalf of Mirza Fakhrul. National Parliament Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni and Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu were also present.
Two separate nomination papers had been submitted in the name of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Following scrutiny, one was found valid under the rules. As a result, the second nomination paper submitted for the same candidate was no longer required and was automatically rejected.
The nomination of LDP Chairman Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmed, who is contesting as the candidate of the 11-party alliance led by the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the main opposition party in Parliament, was also declared valid.
Two nomination papers had also been submitted for Oli Ahmed. After one was accepted as valid, the other was rejected.
According to the election schedule announced by the Election Commission, August 18 is the deadline for withdrawing nominations. The presidential election is scheduled to be held on August 20.
A sitting of the National Parliament has also been convened on the same day to facilitate the election.
The presidential election will be held in the Parliament Chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad complex. Unlike general elections, ordinary voters do not directly participate in the presidential election. Members of Parliament elect the president through an open voting system.
With the nominations of both Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmed declared valid, attention now turns to the nomination withdrawal deadline on August 18. The final number of candidates will become clear after the withdrawal period ends.
The presidential election will then take place on August 20 in the Parliament Chamber.
Source: Election Commission.