The country is going to hold presidential elections after a long 35 years. 349 members of parliament will vote in the session hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban today, Thursday from 2 pm to 5 pm. BNP and Like-Minded candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Jamaat-led 11-party unity candidate Dr. Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram are contesting in the election.
The 23rd President, elected by direct vote of the members of parliament, will take oath at Bangabhaban tomorrow, Friday at 7:30 pm. Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, who is in charge of the Speaker, will administer the oath to the new President.
Immediately after taking the oath, Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed will formally hand over the reins to the new President, as is customary.
The Election Commission (EC) has already completed all preparations for the election. Returning officer for the election, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasiruddin told reporters on Wednesday that no campaigning will be allowed during the election. If any immediate problem arises during voting, the Chief Whip and the Chief Whip of the opposition party will have to be approached.
It is learnt that while entering the Parliament chamber, one must carry the ID card provided by the Parliament Secretariat. After taking one’s seat, one must take a ballot paper with one’s name and division number printed on it from the assisting officer. Write the full name in the designated space on the counter foil or checkmuri of the ballot and hand it over to the assisting officer.
It must be returned to the official. If the ballot paper is damaged for any reason, it must be presented to the election officer before being placed in the ballot box. He/She will take necessary action.
The counting will begin immediately after the voting ends at 5 pm. The candidate with the most valid votes will be declared the winner by the Rebel Electoral Commission. Later, the Election Commission will publish the results in a gazette.
CEC Nasir Uddin said, “The Election Commission has made maximum preparations to conduct this historic election in a fair and orderly manner. I hope it will be a good election. Voting is being held in this election for the first time since 1991.”
