Who’s going to be the next president of the country? This matter has now become the talk of the country. The current President Md Abdul Hamid is in presidency for two successive terms and this tenure of presidency will be over on April 23. According to the constitution, none can be president in more than two terms. It has also a hot topic of discussion whether Abdul Hamid is going to be president again upon amendment of constitution.

Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Anisul Hoq on Wednesday said to the journalists, “The President will be elected within pre-specified time. And the government has no plan to amend the constitution.”

BNP is not in the parliament and Awami League has single majority in it. In addition, there’s no provision for the MPs to cast vote against own party. Hence, it’s assumed that AL candidate will be next president. Now, it’s a matter of time that who’s going to get the mandate of ruling party.

The names of Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, one adviser to the Prime Minister, several cabinet members, one former Chief Justice, former Vice-chancellors of various universities are discussed for the post of the President. According to the constitution, the process of selecting new president has to be completed before 60 to 90 days of the expiration of current tenure of the current President. So, the process of selecting next president will have to be completed within the time period of 24 January to 23 February.

According to the law experts, first 30 days are to be counted here. The election commission also thinks alike and for this the selection process of president has to start and finish in coming February.

The President gets elected by the votes of members of the parliament, not by vote of the people. The EC conduct this election including announcement of cadaster according to the constitution.

Abdul Hamid took the office of President for the first term on 24 April, 2013, and then reelected on April 24, 2018. He had been selected as MP seven times and done the responsibility of speaker of the parliament twice prior to becoming President. He’s the sole person who did the responsibilities of president more than once. During his two tenures of presidency, he has achieved acceptability to all the countrymen regardless of classes. He is a popular figure in AL and was close companion of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He had done his duty of deputy leader of opposition in parliament, deputy speaker and speaker two times. Even after becoming president of the country, he hadn’t become detached from the people. The people of his hometown Kishoreganj regularly come to visit him at Bangabhavan. Whenever he gets time, he visits Mithamaine, his own locality.

There might be occurrence of many complexities ahead of next national election. To remove the complexities, the role of president is very important. According to AL thinks tank, a skilled, bold and trusted person should be on the seat of President on that moment.

It has been know from the leaders of decision-making level of AL, the topic of selecting President hasn’t been discussed yet in the policy-making forum of the party. Some names are in discussion among the party. The name of speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury is mostly highlighted among the leaders of the policy-making forum of the party. She has achieved reputation internationally as a speaker. Furthermore, she had been selected as chairperson of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and accompished the responsibility successfully. According to many top leaders of the party, as she’s a trusted person to Prime Minister, her name surely be considered as President who will do her duty during election period. Besides, one adviser to the Prime Minister, several cabinet members, one former Chief Justice, several former vice-chancellors are also discussed for the post of the President. In essence, based on past experience, the government will select a well-deserving person for the post who’s acceptable to all.

@The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on January 5 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque