Bangladesh State Reform Movement said applying constitutional Article 70 restrictions to members of parliament in a presidential election would violate the constitution and betray reform commitments. Leaders, constitutional experts and political analysts made the assertion at an August 17 discussion titled “Presidential Election: The Role of Article 70” at the group’s central office on Topkhana Road in the capital.

In a keynote paper, Shahidullah Farayji argued that although Article 48(1) provides for the president to be elected by lawmakers, the vote is not a parliamentary sitting or decision-making process. He said it is an independent election conducted under the Election Commission, where lawmakers vote as members of an electoral college. He also criticized the chief whip’s statement that voting against a party decision would vacate a member’s seat.

The movement issued three demands: withdrawal of the chief whip’s statement, a clear Election Commission explanation that Article 70 does not apply, and amendment of Article 70 in line with a referendum mandate. President Hasnat Kaiyum urged members of the 13th National Parliament to remove party barriers and vote using conscience and independent judgment.