BNP Grants Tarique Rahman Authority to Pick Presidential Nominee

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) National Standing Committee authorized Prime Minister and party chairman Tarique Rahman to select the party's nominee for the upcoming presidential election. The decision was finalized during a meeting on August 1, 2026, at Rahman's political office in Gulshan, Dhaka.

The election follows the July 24 resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad is currently serving as acting president. Under Article 123(2) of the Constitution, the presidential election must be completed within 90 days of the vacancy.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that the Election Commission of Bangladesh is prepared to conduct the vote, though he noted that no specific candidates were discussed during the committee meeting. Rahman will determine the nominee once the official election schedule is announced. The Standing Committee also reviewed government development activities and plans for local government elections slated for late 2026 or early 2027.