Preparations are under way in the National Parliament ahead of the presidential election scheduled for 20 August.
A preparatory meeting has been held to discuss the use of the parliament chamber on election day, ensuring the attendance of Members of Parliament (MPs), necessary logistical support, and overall security and administrative matters.
The meeting was held on Tuesday afternoon in the Cabinet Room of the National Parliament, with Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal in the chair. Parliamentary Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam and Opposition Chief Whip Md Nahid Islam attended the meeting.
The meeting held detailed discussions on the preparations required from the National Parliament Secretariat to ensure that the presidential election is held smoothly and without disruption. Particular emphasis was placed on making the parliament chamber suitable for the election, ensuring the necessary infrastructure and logistical support for voting, and ensuring the timely attendance of MPs on election day.
Acting Speaker Kaysar Kamal said it was necessary to ensure a fascism-free environment in all spheres of the state structure. In his words, the 2026 presidential election is a historic moment in building a fascism-free Bangladesh.
The meeting approved, with necessary amendments, the proceedings concerning arrangements for the use of the National Parliament session chamber for the presidential election, the provision of necessary logistical support and ensuring the attendance of MPs. At the same time, the relevant wings of the Parliament Secretariat were advised to complete the necessary preparations for the election.
How the presidential election will be held under the law
The president is not elected directly by the people; the election is held through the votes of Members of Parliament. Under Section 3 of the Presidential Election Act, 1991, the Chief Election Commissioner conducts the presidential election and serves as the ‘Election Officer’ for the election. The Election Commission prepares and publishes the electoral roll, while the CEC presides over the meeting of MPs and conducts the voting.
Section 4 of the Act stipulates that the meeting of MPs for the presidential election must be held in the parliament chamber. If there is more than one candidate, the election is held through an open vote by MPs. Each MP has one vote.
After voting concludes, the Chief Election Commissioner will count the votes publicly. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes cast will be declared elected. In the event of a tie, the law provides for the result to be determined by lottery.
Parliament-EC coordination on preparations
Coordination between the National Parliament and the Election Commission has already been strengthened ahead of the presidential election. On 28 July, Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin held a meeting with Acting Speaker Kaysar Kamal over the presidential election. Following the meeting, the CEC said preliminary discussions on the election had taken place.
Earlier, the Election Commission said preparations for the presidential election had begun. The Presidential Election Act contains provisions covering both situations — how the election is to be arranged when parliament is in session and what measures are required when parliament is not in session.
Key preparations in final stages
With the 20 August vote approaching, priority is now being given to several areas — making the parliament chamber suitable for voting; keeping the necessary voting equipment and logistics ready; ensuring the attendance of MPs; providing necessary assistance to Election Commission officials and employees; coordinating entry, movement and security arrangements within the parliament building; and ensuring coordination between the Parliament Secretariat and the Election Commission during voting and the announcement of results.
Voting in parliament chamber on 20 August
According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the presidential election is due to be held in the parliament chamber on Thursday, 20 August. As election day draws closer, preparations by the National Parliament Secretariat and the Election Commission are also intensifying.
The election will be conducted in accordance with the Presidential Election Act, 1991 and the rules prescribed by the Election Commission. The Election Commission’s website also lists the Presidential Election Act, 1991 and the Presidential Election Rules, 1991 as the relevant laws.
Other whips Alhaj Md G K Gause, Rokibul Islam Bokul, Mia Nuredin Ahmed Apu, Md Akhteruzzaman Mia and A B M Ashraf Uddin (Nizan), Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat Secretary Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhter Ahmed, and other relevant senior officials of the National Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting.
