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The Election Commission has announced the schedule for Bangladesh’s presidential election, prompting questions about who can contest the election, who votes and how the president is chosen.
Who can become president?
Under the Constitution and the Presidential Election Act, 1991, a candidate for president must:
- Be a citizen of Bangladesh
- Be at least 35 years old
- Be eligible to be elected as a member of Parliament
- Not have previously been removed from the presidency through impeachment
A person can serve as president for a maximum of two terms.
There is no nomination fee for contesting the presidential election.
How is a candidate nominated?
A presidential candidate must have the support of two members of Parliament—one as the proposer and another as the seconder.
A member of Parliament cannot propose or second more than one candidate. The candidate must also sign the nomination paper indicating consent to contest the election.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) serves as the returning officer for the presidential election.
Who votes in the presidential election?
Unlike countries where presidents are elected directly by citizens, Bangladesh’s president is elected by elected members of Parliament.
Bangladesh had a system of direct presidential elections during periods when the country followed a presidential form of government. However, after the parliamentary system was restored in 1991, the direct-election system was abolished.
Under the current constitutional arrangement, therefore, ordinary voters do not directly vote for the president. The elected MPs cast the votes.
How will voting take place?
According to the Election Commission’s schedule, presidential nomination papers will be submitted from 10am to 4pm on August 13. The nominations will be scrutinised on August 16, while August 18 is the deadline for withdrawing candidacies.
The election is scheduled for August 20, from 2pm to 5pm, in the Jatiya Sangsad chamber.
If there is more than one valid candidate, MPs will vote by secret ballot. The candidate securing a majority of valid votes cast by the MPs present will be elected president.
If only one candidate remains valid after scrutiny, no voting will be necessary. The returning officer will declare that candidate elected unopposed.
What happens if Parliament is not in session?
If Parliament is not in session when the presidential election needs to be held, the Election Commission will consult the Speaker and issue a notification calling a parliamentary sitting.
The sitting must be convened at least seven days before the scheduled voting date.
Why is the election different from a general election?
The key difference is the electorate. In a general election, citizens vote to elect MPs. In a presidential election, the elected MPs themselves form the electoral college.
This means the outcome depends on the composition of Parliament rather than a direct nationwide vote by citizens.
