AL names President Hamid for 2nd term

The ruling Awami League (AL) has nominated President Abdul Hamid, pictured, for second term polls for which are now just over a fortnight away.The election commission will hold the presidential polls slated for Feb 18 when the members of the parliament will exercise their franchises. As the Awami League has absolute majority in parliament, it is only a formality before Hamid becomes president for a second consecutive term. The polls will be held before his tenure ends on Apr 23. Bangladesh’s constitution allows a citizen as president for maximum of two terms, which means the next will be Hamid’s last term in the Bangabhaban.Before being sworn in as the 20th president of Bangladesh five years ago, 74-year-old Hamid served as the Speaker.Nominees must file their documents to the election officer on February 5. The election commission will sort out the nominations a day later. Nominees can pull out until February 10.Members of parliament voted to elect a president only once in 1991, when parliamentary democracy was reinstated. Since then, the ceremonial head has been elected unopposed.The current year may see the national polls as well which are due between October 30, and January 24, 2019.