Dhaka, Jan 22 – Law Minister Anisul Huq on Monday said that the presidential election will be held on February 19 as the tenure of the incumbent President Abdul Hamid expires on April 23.“I came to know from the Election Commission that it has issued a circular saying that the presidential election will be held on February 19,” Anisul Huq told UNB on Monday night.
Responding to a query whether the election will be held in the current session of the Jatiya Sangsad, he said if the schedule is fixed for February 19 then it will be held in the ongoing session.
Anisul Huq, however, said the Election Commission will clear the matter in this regard.
Acting secretary of the Election Commission Helaluddin Ahmed told UNB, “We haven’t yet finalised the schedule for the presidential election. Once we finalise it, you must know.”
Article 123 of the Constitution says, “In the case of a vacancy in the office of President occurring by reason of the expiration of his term of office, an election to fill the vacancy shall be held within the period of ninety to sixty days prior to the date of expiration of the term.”
President Abdul Hamid assumed office on April 24, 2013, and his five-year term will expire on April 23. The current session of Parliament began on January 7 and will continue till February 28. – UNB
GreenWatch Dhaka staff reporter adds: The election, if held in this session, will just be a formality and the ruling AL has an overwhelming majority in Parliament which elects the President. MPs cannot vote against a Party nominee as per Atricle 70 of the Constitution. The Jatiya Party which is both in the government and the opposition in Parliament does not have enough strength to fight an election battle.
