Article 70 to be amended for next presidential poll: Salahuddin

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Thursday (August 20).

The minister said the country was holding a constitutional presidential election after 35 years, with a candidate from the opposition also contesting this time.

“This is how the election should be held. People will be able to witness the democratic practice they expect,” he said, adding that the presence of an opposition candidate in Parliament had added a new dimension to the democratic process surrounding the presidential election.

Salahuddin said the opposition had yet to join the committee formed to consider constitutional amendments. The next presidential election, he said, would be held under the amended Article 70.

Meanwhile, voting in the country’s 23rd presidential election began at 2pm Thursday in the Jatiya Sangsad chamber. Voting is scheduled to continue until 5pm, with the president being elected by members of Parliament.