Government lawmakers from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have held a parliamentary party meeting ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

The meeting began at 4pm on Wednesday on the ninth floor of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, chaired by Parliamentary Leader and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony confirmed the development.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the party’s nominee for the presidency, was also present at the meeting.

Voting in the 23rd presidential election will take place in the parliament chamber on Thursday. The voting will begin at 2pm and continue until 5pm.

For the first time in 35 years, a presidential election will see more than one candidate competing, making a direct vote necessary.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP secretary general and local government minister, is contesting as the candidate nominated by the BNP and its like-minded parties. Retired Colonel Oli Ahmed is contesting as the candidate of an 11-party alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami.

A total of 349 members of parliament are eligible to vote in the presidential election.

The last presidential election involving voting in the parliamentary chamber was held on October 8, 1991. At that time, BNP nominated Abdur Rahman Biswas, while the Awami League nominated Badruzzaman Hossain.

In the 11th presidential election, Abdur Rahman Biswas defeated the Awami League candidate, securing 172 votes against his opponent’s 92, and was elected the 11th president.