Presidential Polls: Hasina given power to pick AL candidate

The Awami League Parliamentary Party has given the power to AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to nominate the party's candidate for the presidential election.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader disclosed this after the meeting of ALPP held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban yesterday evening.

The ruling party's nominee is set to be the next president of the country as no other political party has proposed any name for the presidential election.

Obaidul Quader said he proposed handing over the power to select the presidential candidate to Sheikh Hasina.

"It was unanimously accepted. Now Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, our symbol of unity, will put an end to all speculations regarding finalising the presidential candidate," he added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Deputy Leader of the House Matia Chowdhury, Chief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury and Obaidul Quader addressed the meeting, insiders said.

AL candidates will submit their candidacy on February 12, the last day for submission of nomination papers for the presidential post.

The name of the party's candidate will not be revealed before this, meeting sources said.

While many names surfaced in the media over who could be AL's presidential candidate, three names have been most discussed -- Mashiur Rahman, an advisory council member of the party, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.

The tenure of President Abdul Hamid, the longest-serving president of the country, will expire on April 23, and according to the constitution, there is no scope for his re-election.