The 11-party alliance has nominated Liberal Democratic Party president Dr Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed as its candidate in the presidential election. The decision was made at a meeting of senior leaders at the opposition leader’s residence on Minto Road in the capital on August 9. Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman chaired the meeting, while National Citizen Party convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam announced the nomination at a press briefing.

Rahman said his alliance regarded participation in the presidential election as a responsibility and an expression of democracy’s beauty. He said politics should be transparent and competitive, and described Ahmed as the person the alliance considered best suited for the country’s welfare. Jamaat’s central executive council had decided on Saturday night to participate in the election and discussed possible candidates before the alliance finalized its choice.

Nahid Islam accused the government of disregarding the referendum mandate and failing to implement the July Charter. He also blamed what he called BNP’s unilateral and anti-reform conduct for preventing a unified nomination. Ahmed thanked the alliance and pledged to stand by the public and protect its interests. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis chief Maulana Mamunul Haque called him a qualified candidate.