Despite lacking a majority and facing certain defeat, the 11‑party alliance led by Jamaat‑e‑Islami has announced the name of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed for the presidential race.
The announcement was made on Sunday by Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), after a meeting of the alliance at the residence of the Leader of the Opposition on Bailey Road in Dhaka.
Following the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin due to illness during the Awami League government, the Election Commission announced the schedule for the presidential election, setting 20 August as the voting date. Aspirants must submit nomination papers by 13 August.
Under the Constitution, the President is elected by Members of Parliament. Lawmakers cannot vote against their party’s decision; if they do, they lose their membership. As a result, there is virtually no chance of anyone outside the majority party’s nominee being elected President.
On 1 August, BNP’s internal meeting authorised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, also the party chairman, to decide who the party will nominate for the presidency.
BNP has not yet announced its choice. Names under discussion include party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, several senior BNP leaders, and Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani.
Additionally, on 5 August, during the inauguration of the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus was present. When the prime minister invited him onto the stage, his name also entered the discussion.
Speaking after the announcement, Oli Ahmed expressed gratitude for being chosen as the candidate. He claimed that in his long political career he has never faced allegations of corruption and that he leads a transparent life.
