Dhaka: The BNP on Saturday entrusted party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with the authority to finalise the party's candidate for the upcoming presidential election. The decision was taken at a meeting of the party's National Standing Committee held at the BNP Chairman's Gulshan office in the evening.
According to United News of Bangladesh, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressed reporters following the meeting, stating that the Standing Committee authorised Tarique Rahman to make all decisions regarding the party's presidential nominee and the election process. Fakhrul remarked, "On behalf of the party, we have entrusted all responsibilities relating to the selection of the presidential candidate and the election to our Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman."
He further mentioned that the Standing Committee also deliberated on the government's development activities, the upcoming local government elections, and organisational matters. The meeting, chaired by Tarique Rahman, commenced at 8pm and included notable attendees such as BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, and Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
Salahuddin Ahmed, speaking after the meeting, highlighted the Election Commission's legal obligation to hold the presidential election within 90 days, noting that the Commission has already signaled its preparedness to conduct the polls. He stated, "Once the Election Commission announces the election schedule, our party chairman will finalise the candidate. The Standing Committee has entrusted him with that responsibility."
When questioned about potential candidates for the presidency, Salahuddin clarified, "No, no names were discussed." The context for this development follows the resignation of Mohammed Shahabuddin as President on July 24, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assuming the role of acting President. Under Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacant office of the President must occur within 90 days of a vacancy due to resignation. The President is elected by Parliament members for a five-year term, with specific qualifications outlined for candidacy.