Presidential polls on Apr 29

The Election Commission has said the presidential elections will take place in Parliament on Apr 29.

The aspirants will be able to submit nomination papers on Apr 21 and withdraw those until Apr 24.

According to law, the President is elected by open votes of the Members of Parliament. And the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) acts as the Election Officer.

CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed announced the schedule on Tuesday afternoon. He earlier held a meeting with Acting Speaker M Shawkat Ali on the preparations.

President Md Zillur Rahman died on Mar 20 in Singapore undergoing treatment. Since then, Speaker Abdul Hamid has been made the Acting President.

Bangladesh must elect its 20th President within June 19 as per the constitutional obligations.

After the meeting between the CEC and Acting Speaker, Parliament Chief Whip Abdus Shahid told reporters that Acting President Abdul Hamid has called the 17th session of the ninth parliament from Apr 21.

After parliamentary democracy was introduced in Bangladesh, the Members of Parliament only once voted and elect the President in 1991 as there were several candidates running for the post.

But later the trend changed and ruling party candidates have always been elected uncontested as President.