The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday announced the schedule for Bangladesh’s presidential election, setting August 20 as the polling date if more than one candidate contests the election.

The announcement was made by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin will serve as the Returning Officer for the presidential election.

According to the announced schedule, nomination papers will be submitted on August 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on August 16, while the deadline for withdrawal of candidature is August 18. If necessary, voting will be held on August 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) chamber.

Election officials noted that presidential elections in Bangladesh are usually uncontested, with the ruling party’s nominee being elected unopposed. If only one valid candidate remains after the withdrawal deadline, the candidate will be declared elected on August 18, eliminating the need for voting.

Under the Presidential Election Act, 1991, a candidate’s nomination paper must be proposed by one Member of Parliament (MP) and seconded by another, with the candidate’s own signed consent attached.

If there is only one valid candidate, the Election Commission will declare that candidate elected unopposed. If multiple candidates remain, Members of Parliament will elect the President through a secret ballot in Parliament.

Since the restoration of parliamentary democracy in 1991, a presidential election requiring a vote was held only once, when more than one candidate contested. In all subsequent elections, the ruling party’s nominee has been elected unopposed.

Under the Presidential Election Act, 1991, the President is elected by the votes of Members of Parliament, while the Chief Election Commissioner acts as the election authority. Nomination submission and scrutiny will take place at the office of the Chief Election Commissioner, while polling, if required, will be held in the Parliament chamber.

Former President Md. Sahabuddin resigned from office on July 24. Under the Constitution, the Election Commission is required to hold a presidential election within 90 days of the office becoming vacant.