CEC to meet acting speaker as race for next president begins

The election schedule will follow the discussions

The Election Commission (EC) has begun preparations to elect Bangladesh's next president following the resignation of Mohammad Shahabuddin.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin is set to meet Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal soon as part of the process.

Shahabuddin resigned on Friday, citing serious illness.

Under the Constitution, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad is serving as acting president until a successor is elected, while Deputy Speaker Kayser is performing the speaker's duties.

The EC reviewed the legal framework at an informal meeting on Sunday.

EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, "We have started our preparations.

"Following convention, the CEC will meet the acting speaker. The EC Secretariat will seek an appointment within the next couple of days."

The election must be held by Oct 22.