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Bangladesh is preparing for its 23rd presidential election, with the submission of nomination papers commencing today from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Voting is scheduled to take place on August 20, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, according to the election schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC) on August 6.

The EC has outlined key dates for the electoral process, including the scrutiny of nomination papers starting at 10:00 AM on August 16 and continuing until completion. Candidates will have until 4:00 PM on August 18 to withdraw their nominations. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will fulfill the legal requirement of serving as the returning officer for this election.

Three nomination papers have reportedly been collected from the CEC's office. Notable figures who have collected forms include BNP Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Additionally, the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance collected a form for Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Oli Ahmed.

The election will proceed without a parliamentary session on voting day. However, the CEC will convene a special sitting of parliament to conduct the election, as stipulated by a gazette issued yesterday. The EC has published a list of 349 eligible lawmakers who will cast their ballots at their designated seats using transparent ballot boxes, without the use of voting booths. The voting process is expected to be broadcast live, with arrangements being made for journalists. The election follows the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin on July 24, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad serving as acting president since then. The EC is mandated to hold a presidential election within 90 days of a vacancy occurring, as per the Constitution and the President Election Act, 1991.