Presidential polls on February 19

The schedule for the 22nd Presidential election in the country was announced today fixing the polls date on February 19.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal announced the schedule, Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md Jahangir Alam told BSS.

On February 19, the voting will be held from 2 pm 5 pm in the Parliament Complex of the Jatiya Sangsad.

He said, according to the schedule, the nomination papers can be submitted to the Chief Election Commission (CEC) office till 4 pm on February 12.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on February 13 from 10 am while nomination papers could be withdrawn till 4 pm on February 14.

The President may hold office for five years from the date of assumption of office.

The incumbent President M Abdul Hamid assumed office on April 24, 2018.  Accordingly, his five-year tenure will end on April 23, 2023.

According to the constitution, members of parliament are voters in the Presidential election.  

Awami League has the absolute majority in the current parliament.

In that case, there is no possibility of any party other than Awami League giving a candidate.

If there is one candidate for the presidency, the election of the President will not require a meeting or voting in parliament, reports BSS.