The Election Commission (EC), led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, met with Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to discuss preparations for the upcoming presidential election.
The meeting commenced at 11 am on Tuesday and included Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, and Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, alongside EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
Following the discussion, CEC AMM Nasir Uddin announced that the Election Commission is fully prepared to conduct the presidential election.
Responding to media inquiries regarding the status of expelled Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker from Satkhira-4, Gazi Nazrul Islam, the CEC clarified that the matter was not on the meeting`s agenda, though the commission will examine it if formally referred.
The consultation precedes the official announcement of the election schedule, in accordance with the Presidential Election Act, 1991, which mandates prior discussion with the Speaker.
Under this framework, if Parliament is in session, the EC must issue the election notification at least seven days prior to polling day.
If Parliament is not in session, the commission, in consultation with the Speaker, must convene a meeting of Members of Parliament at least seven days before the vote.
Secretariat will transmit the official list of lawmakers to the EC, which will prepare and publish the electoral roll before declaring the timetable.
The election will be conducted through direct voting by Members of Parliament, with the CEC serving as the Returning Officer.
Under statutory guidelines, a candidate`s nomination paper must be proposed by one MP and seconded by another.
The nominee securing the highest number of votes will be declared elected by the CEC, while a tie will be settled by lottery, with the Returning Officer`s determination serving as final.
This electoral process follows the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin on July 24, after which Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assumed duties as Acting President.
Under Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacant presidential office must take place within 90 days of a resignation.
Comment :