Today, Tuesday (August 18), is the final day for candidates to withdraw their nominations in the presidential election. Valid candidates can withdraw their candidacy until 4:00pm.

Election Commission (EC) officials said candidates have until 4pm today to withdraw their nominations in accordance with the election schedule. After the deadline, the final list of candidates for the presidential election will be determined.

Two candidates have submitted nomination papers for the presidency. The BNP has nominated the party’s Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. His nomination was proposed by BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan and seconded by Gayeshwar Chandra Roy.

Meanwhile, Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has been nominated as the candidate of the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami. His nomination was proposed by Jamaat leader and Dhaka-15 MP Dr Amir Shafiqul Rahman and seconded by Narayanganj-4 MP and NCP leader Abdullah Al Amin.

If more than one candidate remains in the race, voting will be held on Thursday, August 20, in the session room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said voting will take place from 2pm to 5pm that day.

Earlier, on July 24, the 22nd President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned citing health reasons. Following his resignation, the Election Commission initiated the process of electing a new president and announced the election schedule, setting August 20 as the voting date.