Dhaka, Aug 09 (V7N) – The 11-party alliance led by opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has taken a policy decision to participate in the country's 23rd presidential election, with a final decision expected at the alliance's meeting on Sunday (August 9).
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and Opposition Whip Rafiqul Islam Khan confirmed the development to the media on Saturday (August 8) night.
He said the alliance would nominate a candidate who is acceptable to all partners.
The presidential post became vacant after Md. Shahabuddin resigned as head of state citing health reasons. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed subsequently assumed the responsibilities temporarily.
Following the vacancy, the Election Commission has already announced the schedule for the presidential election. Voting is scheduled to take place on August 20.
If more than one candidate contests the election, voting will be held in the session hall of the Jatiya Sangsad from 2pm to 5pm on August 20.
The presidential election is conducted through an electoral process in which lawmakers cast their votes. According to people familiar with the process, the candidate nominated by the ruling party has traditionally won the presidency unopposed, meaning voting has often not been necessary.
However, the Jamaat-led alliance's decision has raised the possibility of an opposition candidate entering the presidential race.
If only one candidate remains in the race, the new president could potentially be declared elected on August 16, according to the announced schedule.
Under the Election Commission's timetable, nomination papers will be submitted on August 13 from 10am to 4pm. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on August 16. If only one valid candidate remains after scrutiny, the outcome will be known that day.
The deadline for withdrawing a candidacy is August 18.
The alliance is expected to finalize its candidate and formally announce its position at Sunday's meeting.
END/SMA/AJ
