Next presidential election to follow amended Article 70: Home Minister

The next presidential election will be held in accordance with the amended Article 70 of the Constitution, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Thursday (August 20).

Speaking to reporters on the presidential election, he said the contest, held nearly 35 years after the last competitive presidential election, would reflect the country’s expected democratic practice.

"After 35 years, a presidential election is being held constitutionally. There is also a candidate from the opposition. This is how an election should be held," he said.

The home minister said the constitutional process was being followed properly and expressed hope that the people would witness a meaningful exercise of democracy through the election.

He also said the opposition had yet to join the committee formed to amend the Constitution. However, the next presidential election would be conducted under the provisions of the amended Article 70, he added.

The election is being contested by BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and former colonel Oli Ahmad, who is backed by the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami.