Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed congratulated the opposition after it took part in the presidential election through the constitutional process, he told journalists on Thursday night. The remarks were published on August 20, 2026, in an article by Amar Desh Online. He said the opposition’s participation carried constitutional significance under the existing framework.

Ahmed said that if the opposition participated while accepting the continued existence of Article 70, it had acknowledged that its members’ oath as members of the constitutional reform council was not constitutionally valid under the current constitution. He said this was why he again congratulated and thanked the opposition.

The minister said the opposition’s participation effectively gave constitutional recognition to the process under the existing constitution. He added that constitutional amendments would come in the future, including changes to Article 70, in line with agreement on the July National Charter. However, he said the constitution has not yet been amended, and future presidential elections after such changes would follow the amended Article 70.