11-party alliance submits nomination of Oli Ahmed for presidency

An 11-party alliance submitted the nomination papers of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Col. (retd.) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election.

A delegation of the alliance submitted the nomination papers at the Election Commission office on Thursday morning (August 13), formally entering Oli Ahmed into the presidential race.

Alliance leaders said all 11 parties had jointly decided to back Oli Ahmed, a former minister and chairman of the LDP, as their candidate for the election.

The delegation was led by Dr Hamidur Rahman Azad, Jamaat-e-Islami leader and coordinator of the 11-party alliance. Among those present were Mohammad Kamal Hossain, Abdul Baten, Nasiruddin Patwary, Engineer Rashed Pradhan and Mostafizur Rahman Iran, along with leaders of other alliance partners.

According to the Election Commission’s announced schedule, the country’s 23rd presidential election will be held on August 20. Candidates are required to submit their nomination papers between 10am and 4pm on Thursday.

The nominations will be scrutinised on August 16, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until August 18.

If more than one candidate remains in the race, voting will take place in the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad on August 20. Members of Parliament will cast their votes between 2pm and 5pm.

The submission of Oli Ahmed’s nomination has added a new dimension to the presidential race, making the emerging political contest clearer ahead of the election.