Presidential election: EC declares candidacies of Mirza Fakhrul, Oli Ahmad valid

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday declared the candidacies of BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and the opposition Jamaat-led 11-party alliance contender Col (retd) Oli Ahmad valid for the upcoming presidential election scheduled to be held on August 20.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, also the election officer, declared their nomination papers valid after the scrutiny at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon area.

The nomination paper filed for Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmad was first declared valid and then that submitted for Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced valid.

According to the election schedule, now the valid candidates will then be able to withdraw their nominations by 4pm on August 18.

If more than one candidate remains in the race, voting will be held in the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad from 2pm to 5pm on August 20.

A total of 249 Members of Parliament are eligible to cast their votes.

In the presidential race to Bangabhaban, a total of three nomination papers were submitted, one for Mirza Fakhrul and two others for Oli Ahmad.

As the first nomination paper submitted for Oli Ahmad was found valid, the second one would automatically become invalid.

Since BNP has an absolute majority in the parliament, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is set to be elected the president.