EC to begin nomination scrutiny for presidential election today

Election officials will begin scrutinizing nomination papers for presidential election on Sunday (August 16), a decisive step toward the country's first contested presidential vote in 35 years.

The Election Commission opened the verification process at 10:00am at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon, with the Chief Election Commissioner presiding over the review, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said.

Three nomination papers have been submitted for the presidency, Akhtar Ahmed said. Retired Colonel Oli Ahmed, contesting on behalf of the 11-party alliance, submitted two separate papers, while Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the ruling BNP's nominee, filed one.

A representative from the Parliament Secretariat is attending Sunday's scrutiny session, in line with electoral procedure for the presidential race.

Candidates found ineligible or wishing to withdraw have until 4:00pm on August 18 to do so, according to the schedule set by the commission.

The presidential election — the 23rd since independence — is set for August 20, marking the first time in 35 years that Bangladesh will hold an actual vote to choose its head of state rather than an uncontested selection. The last contested presidential election was held in 1991.

The vacancy arose after the 22nd president resigned on July 24, citing ill health. The Election Commission announced the schedule for the by-election on August 6.