Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said the Election Commission will quickly announce a schedule for a presidential election after President Md Sahabuddin resigned, leaving the post vacant. Speaking to the media on Friday, Masud said Article 123 of the constitution requires a new president to be elected within 90 days of a vacancy. He said the election would be held within that period under the Presidential Election Act, 1991.

Masud said the chief election commissioner would serve as the returning officer. The schedule would be announced in the manner used for reserved women’s seat elections. If voting is required, it will take place; if there is only one candidate, that candidate will be declared elected unopposed. Election Commission activities will remain closed on Saturday because of the weekly holiday, with a decision on the schedule expected on Sunday or later.

Under the existing constitution, the 350 members of parliament are voters in the presidential election, and the commission will prepare the voter list before announcing the schedule. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said Sahabuddin’s signed resignation letter was submitted to him around 5pm Friday. He accepted it and assumed presidential responsibilities under Article 54, citing Sahabuddin’s serious illness and inability to continue performing the role.