Public balloting to elect 23rd President

The country is set to elect its 23rd President through public balloting in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) chamber on 20 August, with the voting process to be broadcast live and the newly elected President expected to take oath shortly after the results are declared.

The ruling party and opposition have agreed to hold the country’s first contested presidential election in 35 years through public balloting, Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam Moni said on Tuesday.

He made the announcement at a press conference at the JS Media Centre following a high-level preparatory meeting in the Cabinet Room of the JS Complex. Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam attended the meeting, chaired by acting Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

The meeting finalised arrangements for using the parliamentary chamber, providing logistical support and ensuring the presence of MPs for the election.

The polling will be held from 2pm to 5pm under the direct supervision of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, who will summon MPs to the chamber.

The voting process will be open to live broadcast and media oversight, marking the first contested presidential election since parliamentary democracy was restored in 1991.A total of 349 MPs from the treasury and opposition benches will cast their votes from their designated seats using two-part ballot papers.

They will write their full names and signatures alongside the candidate of their choice.

Chief Whip Moni said the anti-defection provision under Article 70 of the Constitution would remain in force during the election, requiring MPs to follow their party’s directives or risk losing their parliamentary membership. The election is being conducted under Section 3 of the Presidential Election Act, 1991, following the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin on 24 July.

The results will be declared immediately after counting at the polling venue, while the final gazette will subsequently be published. The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance has already announced Col (retd) Oli Ahmad of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as its candidate.

Nahid Islam said they decided to field a candidate to ensure a competitive and participatory election and strengthen democratic norms. The BNP is yet to disclose its candidate’s name. Moni said the ruling party’s candidate would be announced when the nomination papers are formally submitted, following the Prime Minister’s instructions.  The BNP candidate’s nomination papers are scheduled to be submitted tomorrow. Moni also reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the July Charter through constitutional amendments, saying related legislation would be placed in the upcoming parliamentary session.

He clarified that the 20 August gathering of the JS would be a designated parliamentary meeting rather than a formal legislative session. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said 20 election officials would deliver ballot papers to MPs, who would cast their ballots in any of three ballot boxes placed before them.

He said the ballot paper would have two sections: a counterfoil containing the serial number, voter’s name, division number and space for signature, and the voting section containing the names of the contesting candidates, beside which voters would write their names and sign.

According to the election schedule, 13 August is the deadline for submitting nomination papers, while candidates can withdraw their candidature until 18 August.