Tarique Rahman To Decide BNP Presidential Candidate As Shahabuddin Exits

Bangladesh’s ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has authorised Prime Minister and party chairman Tarique Rahman to choose the party’s candidate for the upcoming presidential election, placing the final decision on the nominee within the country’s constitutional deadline.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the BNP’s National Standing Committee on Saturday. The meeting was chaired by Rahman, who also heads the ruling party. The committee entrusted him with taking all necessary decisions related to the presidential election and selecting the party’s nominee.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed the decision, saying, “The Standing Committee has entrusted the Prime Minister and BNP Chairman to take the necessary decisions regarding the presidential election and select the party's nominee,” according to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

The presidential election process was triggered after Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned as president on July 24. Following his resignation, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assumed charge as acting president. Shahabuddin’s departure came amid political discussions over his previous association with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who left office following the 2024 uprising. His resignation was also followed by reports of legal complaints and scrutiny over allegations linked to his tenure.

Under Article 123(2) of the Bangladesh Constitution, an election to fill a vacant presidential office must be held within 90 days of the post becoming vacant.

The Election Commission has said it is prepared to conduct the presidential election once the official schedule is announced. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the BNP would finalise its candidate after the poll schedule is declared.

“The Election Commission had already informed that it is prepared to conduct the presidential election. Once the election schedule is announced, the party chairman and Prime Minister will determine the BNP's candidate for the presidency,” Ahmed was quoted as saying by BSS. He added that no specific names were discussed during the Standing Committee meeting.

Alamgir said the committee also discussed the government’s development activities, upcoming local government elections and organisational matters of the party.

The meeting was attended by senior BNP leaders including Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Babu Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Begum Selima Rahman and AZM Zahid Hossain.