BNP's Fakhrul Files Nomination for Bangladesh's Next President

BNP has formally submitted Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's nomination for Bangladesh's presidency all but sealing his path to the post given the party's two-thirds majority in parliament.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin acting as returning officer received the papers Thursday afternoon from a BNP delegation that included senior leaders Abdul Moyeen Khan and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman had announced Fakhrul's candidacy earlier that day at a meeting in the Secretariat, after which Fakhrul stepped down as BNP secretary general and standing committee member. Moyeen Khan proposed the nomination with Goyeshwar Chandra Roy as seconder.

The vacancy arose after President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on July 24 citing illness. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad is serving as acting president while Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal fills in as speaker. The Constitution requires a new president within 90 days.

Under the schedule announced August 6, nominations close today, scrutiny begins August 16 and withdrawals are allowed until August 18. If needed MPs will vote in parliament from 2pm to 5pm on August 20.

Jamaat-e-Islami's alliance has nominated Liberal Democratic Party President Oli Ahmad to contest against Fakhrul with making this only the second contested presidential vote in 35 years.

Of parliament's 349 eligible voting MPs, BNP holds 247 seats and Jamaat 77, with the remainder split among smaller parties and independents. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni confirmed that Article 70, which bars MPs from voting against their party will apply meaning defectors risk losing their seats.

The election will determine Bangladesh's next head of state following months of political transition after Shahabuddin's departure.