EC ready to hold presidential poll: CEC

Nasir Uddin, accompanied by four election commissioners and the EC secretary, made the remarks after meeting Acting Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, the CEC said the meeting covered preliminary and procedural matters. The commission will finalise the schedule at a future meeting and announce the date at the appropriate time, he said.

The election follows the vacancy created after President Md Sahabuddin resigned on Friday, July 24, citing personal reasons. He submitted his resignation to the Speaker under Article 50(3) of the constitution.

Organising the presidential election falls under the Election Commission’s responsibilities, the CEC noted. Citing the Presidential Election Act, 1991, he explained that the commission is required to fix the date in consultation with the Speaker. The law also outlines procedures for nomination submission and scrutiny, with separate arrangements depending on whether the contest is competitive and whether Parliament is in session.

Asked about the constitutional requirement to hold the election within 90 days, the CEC said the commission was ready to conduct it at any time, even as preparations for local government elections continue in parallel.

Regarding the electoral roll, Nasir Uddin said the commission had written to the Parliament Secretariat requesting the voter list and would proceed quickly once it was received.

Nomination papers will be submitted to the Election Commission, and the CEC will act as the returning officer, he said. He added that the venue could be changed for procedural reasons, with details to be published via a gazette notification.