BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy described Jamaat‑e‑Islami’s proposal to amend Article 70 of the Constitution as a matter for later consideration, noting that Parliament could address it collectively if needed.
Raising the issue before the presidential election is irrelevant and only creates confusion, Gayeshwar told journalists at the Chief Election Commissioner’s (CEC) conference room in Nirbachan Bhaban on Sunday.
Responding to Jamaat’s claim that Article 70 is the major obstacle to the presidential election, the BNP leader said, “Whether it is a big obstacle or not, I must proceed according to our existing Constitution. Where there are obstacles in that Constitution, they must be overcome through amendments in Parliament. Beyond that, there is no way. Talking on the streets is of no use.”
Before his briefing, election officials and CEC AMM Nasir Uddin declared BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s nomination valid after scrutiny.
Regarding Fakhrul’s nomination, Gayeshwar said, “I am pleased to inform you that our candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been declared valid as a candidate in Bangladesh’s 23rd presidential election. Now we will wait for the vote on 20 August.”
Asked who will be the party’s secretary general, the BNP leader said, “The Election Commission has no concern over who will be the party’s secretary general. That is a matter for our Standing Committee at the Gulshan office.”
BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, Chief Whip of Parliament Nurul Islam Moni, and Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu were also present with the BNP delegation.
