Published : 02 Aug 2026, 02:31 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:29 AM
The BNP has called a meeting of its highest policymaking body as speculation grows over who will become Bangladesh's next president.
The National Standing Committee will meet at the party chairman's Gulshan office at 7pm on Saturday, its member Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku said on Friday.
"It is a regular Standing Committee meeting," Tuku said.
"The meeting may discuss the current political situation, oil and gas prices, along with other issues."
Asked whether the Standing Committee would discuss the BNP's candidate for the presidency, Tuku said: "There is no scope to say that in advance."
Another Standing Committee member and the Prime Minister's Political Advisor Nazrul Islam Khan, however, told bdnews24.com: "The presidential post has fallen vacant. It's only natural that there would be discussion on who might become president in future."
"But there's no scope to comment on this until the decision is actually made.”
During the interim government, several groups aligned with the July Uprising demanded the removal of Mohammed Shahabuddin, who had become president under the Awami League government's tenure.
Despite sustained protests, he did not resign at the time.
Shahabuddin had later said he would step down once an elected government assumed office.
Five months after the BNP formed government with a landslide victory in the February election, speculation emerged on Jul 22 that Shahabuddin was preparing to resign.
Two days later, on Jul 24, he tendered his resignation, citing “physical and mental incapacity”.
With about one year and nine months remaining in his term, Shahabuddin's departure left Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad serving as acting president.
The Constitution requires a presidential election within 90 days of the office becoming vacant through death, resignation or removal, although the vote may be held earlier.
Several names have already surfaced within and outside the BNP as possible presidential candidates.
After speaking to three Standing Committee members, bdnews24.com has learned that six names are under discussion within the party: Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Nazrul Islam, Abdul Moyeen Khan, and Vice-Chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury.
Retired chief justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has also been mentioned.
Two Standing Committee members told bdnews24.com that at least two of those whose names have appeared in the media have become uncomfortable with the speculation.
"People from home and abroad have already started calling and sending advance congratulations. It has embarrassed one or two leaders," one member said.
The BNP formed the government after winning a sweeping majority in the 13th Parliament.
Jamaat-e-Islami, with 68 seats, sits as the Opposition, with its-led alliance holding 77 seats, against BNP's 210.
The BNP and its allies also outnumber the Opposition in the 50 reserved women's seats, allocated proportionally.
As a result, the ruling party's nominee is set to be elected president.
A BNP leader told bdnews24.com on Friday afternoon that the Standing Committee meeting may not touch on the presidential candidate at all.
"Just as Standing Committee members previously left all such decisions to Khaleda Zia, they are likely to follow the same path this time. Some members may suggest that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman be advised to make the decision," the leader said.
A Standing Committee member said the BNP would propose its presidential nominee only after the Election Commission (EC) announces the schedule for the presidential election, adding that there was little scope to know formally before that.
Under the Constitution, the EC consults the parliamentary speaker before announcing the presidential election schedule.
Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal is currently performing the speaker's duties.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin met Kayser on Tuesday.
A parliamentary official described the meeting to bdnews24.com as a routine legal consultation.
The second session of parliament ended on Jul 15.
As per the Constitution, there cannot be a gap of more than 60 days between sessions, meaning the next session is expected in September or earlier.
Following Shahabuddin's resignation, several BNP leaders suggested the presidential election could take place during that session.
The parliamentary official, however, said there was no legal requirement to convene parliament for the presidential vote.
"The Election Commission will announce the schedule. Prospective candidates will submit nomination papers, which will then be scrutinised.
“If an election is required, voting will be held among the members of parliament. The MPs will come on the scheduled day and cast their votes," the official said.
Those familiar with the process said there is no legal link between a parliamentary session and the presidential election.
After meeting Acting Speaker Kayser, CEC Nasir, referring to the presidential election law, had said: "The law requires the date to be set in consultation with the speaker of parliament before the presidential election.
“That's why this initial detailed discussion took place during the meeting with the acting speaker."
"The election date, however, has not yet been finalised. It will be announced once decided. The process will differ depending on whether parliament is in session.”
Asked a question, Nasir Uddin said: "The Election Commission is fully prepared for the presidential election. The parliament secretariat will provide the voter list for this election.
“The commission has already sent a letter for this."
