Bangladesh sets August 20 for presidential election

Bangladesh will hold its presidential election on August 20, the Election Commission announced on Thursday, two weeks after President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on health grounds before completing his five-year term.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin finalised the election schedule after discussions with acting parliamentary speaker Kayser Kamal, the commission's senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters. The announcement was made in line with constitutional requirements, which mandate that a new president be elected within 90 days of a vacancy.

Under Bangladesh's Constitution, members of parliament elect the president, while the Election Commission oversees the conduct of the election. According to the schedule announced, nomination papers will be accepted at the Election Commission office on August 13, followed by scrutiny on August 16. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is August 18. Voting will take place at the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) session hall from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on August 20. If a consensus candidate emerges, no vote will be held.

Ahmed said that the voter list for the election has been prepared and all other administrative procedures will be completed before the election day.

Mr. Shahabuddin, 76, resigned citing health complications. He was a longtime ally of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024, after a violent student-led uprising toppled her Awami League government. Mr. Shahabuddin was the only constitutional officeholder to remain in his position after the political change.

A veteran of the 1971 Liberation War and a former lower judiciary judge, Mr. Shahabuddin took office in April 2023. His resignation came amid reports that the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Prime Minister Rahman, was uncomfortable with him as the largely titular head of state. Some reports claimed Mr. Shahabuddin had telephoned Ms. Hasina, which he dismissed as baseless.

The BNP currently holds a two-thirds majority in the 350-member parliament. The party has not yet announced its candidate for the presidential election. Under the Constitution, an individual can serve as president for a maximum of two terms.

In the interim, Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed is serving as acting president, as stipulated by the Constitution. The new president must be elected within 90 days of the vacancy arising.