The Election Commission (EC) yesterday (Wednesday) declared Md Abdul Hamid elected President for the second term. The chief election commissioner (CEC), KM Nurul Huda, said: “We scrutinised the nomination papers of Abdul Hamid today. They were declared legal. As he is the legal candidate and there is no other contestant, he has been declared elected.”

The CEC, who is also the returning officer of the presidential election, made the announcement before journalists at a press conference at Election Bhaban in the capital. The CEC announced him as the 21st President of Bangladesh.

The Election Commission Secretariat also issued a gazette notification as per Provision 12 (6) of President Election Act, 1991, declaring Md Abdul Hamid elected President.

The CEC said three nomination papers had been submitted on behalf of Md Abdul Hamid.

“We received three nomination papers. The first was submitted by Obaidul Quader, MP and Tofail Ahmed, MP. The second by Rashed Khan Menon and Chief Whip ASM Firoz. The third was submitted by HM Ershad, MP, and whip Atiur Rahman Atik.”

“We found the first nomination to be correct. When the first nomination is correct, there is no necessity of scrutinising the other two," he added.

The CEC said the oath-taking ceremony of the President is likely to take place on April 23, the day when his first tenure ends.  President Abdul Hamid assumed office on April 24, 2013.

As per Article 123 of the Constitution, the presidential election has to be held between 90 and 60 days before the President's five-year term ends. As per Article 50 (2) of the Constitution, "No person shall hold office as President for more than two terms, whether or not the terms are consecutive."