BNP attaches importance to presidential election

The ruling BNP has attached importance to the presidential election scheduled for Thursday (20 August).

BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will contest the election against the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance candidate Col. (retd) Dr Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram.

Voting to elect Bangladesh’s 23rd president will be held in the Parliament Chamber from 2pm to 5pm on Thursday.

As the ruling party considers the election a significant event, BNP Members of Parliament (MPs) held a meeting on Wednesday (19 August) to strengthen their preparations.

Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting, which began at 4pm on the ninth floor of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and ended around 5:30pm.

LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the ruling party’s presidential candidate, was also present at the meeting.

When contacted, Parliamentary Whip ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan MP told Asia Post, “The Leader of the House, Tarique Rahman, gave us directions to vote for the party candidate, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in the presidential election.”

The Prime Minister also asked all MPs to act in line with the aspirations of the people following the July Uprising.

MPs who attended the meeting said they had been instructed to be present in Parliament on time and vote for the party candidate.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the 11-party alliance have also attached importance to the presidential election.

Jamaat-e-Islami Joint Secretary General and party spokesperson Advocate Ahsan Mahbub Zubair told Asia Post, “We have nominated the alliance candidate for the presidential election as we honour our commitment to the people and their aspirations for democracy.”

He said the Jamaat-led alliance had nominated a decorated freedom fighter as its presidential candidate.

“If Article 70 of the Constitution of Bangladesh is amended in line with our demands, Col. Oli Ahmed will be elected as the next President of Bangladesh. We are damn sure about it,” he said.

Political experts said the contest itself demonstrates the strength of democracy in the country.

Talking to Asia Post, eminent political analyst Professor Dr Asif Mizan, Vice-Chancellor of Somalia’s Daaru Salamu University, said, “As there was no mutual understanding between the ruling party and the opposition alliance, the opposition had to contest the presidential election, and that has happened. It is undoubtedly the beauty of democracy.”

He said the candidacy of Col. (retd) Oli Ahmed would increase his recognition and stature, as many members of the younger generation were not familiar with him.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said on Wednesday (19 August) that the Election Commission was fully prepared to conduct the presidential election in a smooth manner.

“There is no sort of deficit in our preparation for the presidential election,” the CEC said at a press conference at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.

Nasir Uddin said the election result would be published in the official gazette on Thursday, hours after the balloting.

The voting will take place in the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad from 2pm to 5pm.

A total of 349 MPs are eligible to vote in the election.

With the BNP holding an absolute majority in Parliament, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is widely expected to be elected as the country’s 23rd president.

The presidential election requires voting for the first time in nearly 35 years, since 1991.

It is also the first presidential election in 35 years to feature more than one candidate.

The last presidential election involving a vote in Parliament was held on October 8, 1991.

BNP candidate Abdur Rahman Biswas defeated Awami League candidate Badrul Haider Chowdhury to become the country’s 11th president.

Abdur Rahman Biswas secured 172 votes, while Badrul Haider Chowdhury received 92 votes.