Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Bangladesh to Hold Presidential Election on August 20, EC Announces
Bangladesh needs a new president because the old one, Mohammed Shahabuddin, quit his job.
He said he was not feeling well, and he stopped working almost two years before his time was up.
In Bangladesh, regular voters do not pick the president; the country's lawmakers do.
The lawmakers are expected to meet on August 20 to choose the new president.
If everyone agrees on one person before then, they will not even need to vote.
People who want the job must hand in their papers on August 13.
The papers are checked on August 16, and anyone can pull out until August 18.
The Election Commission, the group that runs elections, made this schedule.
The ruling party has not yet said who it wants for president.
Some people think the old president left because of politics, but he said it was just his health.
Bangladesh's Election Commission announced the presidential election will be held on August 20, about two weeks after President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned.
Shahabuddin, 76, a longtime ally of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stepped down on July 24 citing health complications, nearly two years before his five-year term ended.
Lawmakers will vote from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Jatiya Sangsad session hall, but no poll is needed if a consensus candidate emerges.
Key dates: nomination papers on August 13, scrutiny on August 16, and withdrawal by August 18; a new president must be elected within 90 days.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which holds a two-thirds majority in the 350-member parliament, has yet to name a candidate.
- Who
- President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who resigned and triggered the vote; the Election Commission, whose Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin finalized the schedule and Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced it; and the lawmakers who will elect the new president, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's Bangladesh Nationalist Party yet to name a candidate.
- What
- A presidential election to choose Shahabuddin's successor after he resigned before completing his five-year term.
- When
- Voting is scheduled for August 20, announced on a Thursday about two weeks after Shahabuddin resigned on July 24; reports are inconsistent on the year, with one report's Q&A citing 2024.
- Where
- The session hall of the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) in Bangladesh.
- Why
- Shahabuddin resigned officially citing health complications, though the exit came amid speculation that Prime Minister Rahman's government was uncomfortable with the largely ceremonial president and that his reported phone contact with Sheikh Hasina disappointed senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders — claims he called 'baseless.'
Official explanation
Political speculation
Reason for Shahabuddin's resignation
Official explanation
Shahabuddin cited health complications for his resignation and dismissed reports that he contacted Sheikh Hasina by phone as 'baseless.'
Political speculation
Speculation suggested Prime Minister Rahman's government was uncomfortable with the largely ceremonial president, and some reports claimed his phone contact with Hasina disappointed senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders.
- Presidential election date
- August 20
- Voting hours
- 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Jatiya Sangsad session hall
- Nomination filing
- August 13 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm, per one report)
- Nomination scrutiny
- August 16
- Last date for candidature withdrawal
- August 18
- Shahabuddin's resignation
- July 24, citing health complications, nearly two years before his term ended
- Successor deadline
- A new president must be elected within 90 days
- Acting president / consulted speaker (per reports)
- Hafiz Uddin Ahmed serving as Acting President; some reports say the CEC consulted Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal — reports conflict
Sources
Bangladesh Sets Aug 20 Presidential Poll After Mohammed Shahabuddin's Exit
Bangladesh sets August 20 presidential election after Shahabuddin's resignation
Bangladesh to elect new president on August 20 after Mohammed Shahabuddin's resignation
Bangladesh announces date for presidential election after Shahabuddin's resignation
