Members of Parliament will have to follow their party’s decision when voting in Bangladesh’s presidential election on August 20, as Article 70 of the Constitution remains unchanged, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting on preparations for the election, Moni said MPs who vote against their party’s position could lose their parliamentary membership.
“As Article 70 of the Constitution has not been amended, it will remain effective. No one will be able to vote beyond the party’s decision,” he said at the Parliament Media Centre.
The presidential election is scheduled to take place in the Jatiya Sangsad chamber from 2pm to 5pm on August 20. The chief election commissioner will act as the returning officer under the Presidential Election Act, 1991.
The election preparations were discussed at a meeting chaired by Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal.
Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam and several government and opposition whips, along with senior officials, attended the meeting.
Kamal said the election was being held at an important moment in the effort to build a “fascism-free Bangladesh”.
The meeting reviewed arrangements for using the Parliament chamber, providing logistical support and ensuring MPs’ attendance.
Moni also said the BNP has yet to finalise its presidential candidate.
According to him, the party has given Prime Minister Tarique Rahman responsibility for selecting the candidate, who will later announce the name.
The opposition has already nominated its candidate and said it wants the election to be contested.
Voting will be conducted inside Parliament, with MPs casting ballots according to their division and seat numbers.
Moni said the result could be announced before 5pm if all 349 votes are cast during the first hour.
However, if even one vote remains, voting will continue until the scheduled closing time.
He also said the voting of the acting president, leader of the House, leader of the opposition and acting speaker would be broadcast live.
The vote counting and announcement of the result could also be televised.
Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said the presidential election should have been held under the “July Charter” to strengthen the legitimacy and dignity of the elected president.
He said the opposition had decided to contest rather than allow the election to take place without a challenger.
The opposition alliance has nominated former army officer Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed for the presidency.
Nahid said they believe their candidate would be an acceptable choice to serve as the country’s guardian at the current stage.
Under the proposed changes to Article 70 in the July Charter, MPs would be allowed to vote according to their own views on most issues, with exceptions for money bills and confidence votes.
BNP has proposed adding constitutional amendments and national security during wartime to those exceptions.
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