Bangladesh to get new president after decade

Dhaka, Jan 25 (EFE).– The Bangladesh parliament will elect a new president in nearly a decade on Feb.19, the election commission announced on Wednesday.

The presidential election has become due as incumbent Md Abdul Hamid completes his second consecutive five-year term on April 23.

Hamid is not allowed to run for re-election as the Bangladesh constitution bars a president from holding office for more than two terms.

Hamid took over as president on April 22, 2013, and was re-elected in 2018.

A new president has to be elected between 90 and 60 days before the completion of the tenure of the incumbent president.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal told reporters in Dhaka that they would accept nomination papers for the post on Feb.12 and would scrutinize it the next day.

The nominee of the ruling Awami League is expected to be elected as president since it enjoys an overwhelming majority in the parliament.

Bangladesh’s parliament has 300 seats for elected representatives and 50 seats reserved for women.

The Awami League and its allies took 288 out of 300 seats to claim power for a third consecutive term in the last general elections in 2018 amid allegations of massive irregularities and ballot stuffing by the police overnight.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina enjoys most of the power as head of the government, while the president’s post is largely ceremonial. EFE

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