Abdul Hamid lone candidate for presidency

Staff Correspondent: Today (Monday) was the last day to submit nomination papers to the Election Commission (EC) for the presidential election, according to the schedule declared by the EC.

The submission of nomination papers began at 10:00am and continued till 4:00pm.

No other nomination papers excepting the one of President Abdul Hamid were submitted within this timeframe.

As per the law, Abdul Hamid will be elected unopposed as the President of Bangladesh for the next term.

Earlier on April 23, 2013, Abdul Hamid took the charge of the President. At that time, he was also elected unopposed.

Earlier in the day, the ruling Awami League (AL) submitted President Abdul Hamid's nomination paper to the election commission for presidency for the next term, days after the party named him as its nominee for the highest office of the country.

A high profile Awami League delegation led by its General Secretary Obaidul Quader submitted the nomination to Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon area on the last date for submitting the nomination paper for the presidential election slated for February 18.

The delegation sources said they later informed the president about the submission of the nomination paper over phone.

Senior party leaders Tofail Ahmed and Amir Hossain Amu, parliamentary chief whip ASM Feroz comprised the delegation also joined by Rashed Khan Menon, the president of ruling grand alliance partner.

The chief whip earlier collected the nomination form from the EC on February 2.

As per the declared election schedule the voting of the presidential election will be held on February 18 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Parliament House.

According to the schedule, the scrutiny process of the nomination form will be held at 10:00 am on February 7 and last date of withdrawal is February 10.

Due to deaths of two lawmakers, the 350-seat parliament currently has a strength of 348 to elect the president and so far Hamid appeared as the lone candidate for the presidency and unless the election commission receives any other nomination paper, he is set to be declared president unopposed.

The tenure of the existing President will expired on April 23. According to the constitution, the election should be taken place within 30 days from January 24.


risingbd/Dhaka/Feb 5, 218/Hasibul/AI