BNP has nominated its secretary general and local government minister, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, for the post of Bangladesh’s 23rd president. BNP chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman finalized his candidacy in a meeting with senior leaders at the Secretariat. Senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi disclosed the decision to reporters on Thursday afternoon, August 13.

Rizvi said Mirza Fakhrul resigned from the posts of BNP secretary general and standing committee member immediately after becoming a candidate. He had served as secretary general since March 30, 2016, following five years as acting secretary general. He was elected an MP from Thakurgaon-1 in 2001 and served as state minister for agriculture and for civil aviation and tourism between 2001 and 2006.

Thursday is the final day for filing presidential nomination papers, with submissions accepted from 10am to 4pm at the Election Building. Nomination papers have also been filed for retired Colonel Oli Ahmed, the candidate of an 11-party alliance. The Election Commission will scrutinize papers on August 16, withdrawals close on August 18, and voting will be held on August 20 if more than one candidate remains.