CEC, acting speaker to discuss presidential election schedule Tuesday

The talks come as preparations gather pace to elect a new president

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has arranged talks with Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal to discuss the schedule for electing a new president.

The meeting will take place at 11am on Tuesday at the acting speaker's office, Md Monir Hossain, director (Public Relations-1) at the Parliament Secretariat, told bdnews24.com.

Under the Constitution, the Election Commission (EC) consults the Speaker before announcing the timetable for a presidential election.

As Kayser is performing the speaker's duties, the meeting forms part of that process.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on Friday, citing serious illness.

Under the Constitution, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad will perform the president's duties until a new head of state is elected, while Deputy Speaker Kayser has taken over the speaker's responsibilities.

The EC has since begun preparations for the presidential election.

A gazette has already been issued confirming the president's resignation and Kayser's appointment as acting speaker.

The EC held an informal meeting on Sunday, where it reviewed the legal framework for the election.

Asked about the preparations, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the commission had already begun the process.

He said it is customary for the CEC to meet the speaker, now acting speaker, before the election schedule is announced.

The Constitution requires the presidential election to be held within 90 days of the resignation, meaning the vote must take place by Oct 22.

The president is elected by members of parliament (MPs) through a secret ballot.

The Secretariat will send the list of MPs to the EC, which will then review the formalities before announcing the election schedule.

Law Minister Asaduzzaman hopes that parliament will elect a new president during its next session.