Rizvi collects Khaleda Zia’s nomination papers for BNP’s March 19 chairperson election

Khaleda Zia has collected nomination papers to run for election to the post of BNP chairperson.

Joint General Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi collected the papers on behalf of her from the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters at around10:45am on Wednesday.

Earlier, Rizvi handed over to election officials a letter, in which Khaleda authorised him to complete the process.

The party will hold elections to the posts of chairperson and senior vice-chairperson during its National Council slated for Mar 19.

“Khaleda Zia has nominated Ruhul Kabir Rizvi as her agent. He had collected the nomination papers from us,” said senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan, who is the returning officer for the polls.

According to the schedules announced on Feb 29, aspirants can collect, submit, or withdraw nominations themselves or through nominated agents. They can also attend the vote counting.

One has to be at least 30 years of age and a registered paying member of the party to run for election.

During its last council in 2009, Khaleda Zia was re-elected to lead the party.

It had also then anointed her son Tarique Rahman to a newly created post of senior vice-chairperson.

Last month, the party amended its charter to make provision for holding balloting to the post of senior vice-chairperson.

But the charter already has provision for choosing its chairperson through an election.