Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the Election Commission (EC) is entirely ready to conduct the upcoming presidential election.
The CEC shared this development with reporters following a meeting with Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
The meeting, which commenced at 11am, was held to discuss procedures ahead of the formal announcement of election schedule, reports UNB.
The CEC was accompanied by election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Mashud, Tahmida Ahmed, and Anwarul Islam Sarker, along with EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
In accordance with Presidential Election Act, 1991, the commission must consult the speaker before finalising the election schedule. If Parliament is in session, the EC is required to issue the election notification at least seven days prior to the polling date.
If Parliament is not in session, the commission, in consultation with the speaker, must arrange a meeting of the members of Parliament at least seven days before the vote.
As part of formal process, Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat will provide a list of MPs to EC. The commission will then prepare and publish the electoral roll for the presidential election before announcing the schedule.
Under Article 123(2) of Constitution, an election to fill the presidency must be held within 90 days of the office becoming vacant due to resignation.
The president’s office became vacant following the resignation of Mohammed Shahabuddin on 24 July, after which Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad took charge as the acting president. The election will be conducted through direct votes from members of Parliament, with CEC Nasir serving as the returning officer.
According to Presidential Election Act, a candidate’s nomination must be proposed by one MP and seconded by another. The candidate who secures the highest number of votes will be declared the winner by the CEC. In the event of a tie, the result will be determined by a lottery, and the CEC’s declaration of the outcome will be final.
