<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">The Election Commission (EC) today announced the schedule for the country’s 22nd presidential election.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal came up with the announcement in a press conference held at the election building in Dhaka.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the schedule, the presidential election will be held on February 19 as the tenure of incumbent President Abdul Hamid nears an end.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The final date for submitting nomination papers is February 12 and those will be reviewed on February 13, as per the EC.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The commission has set February 14 as the final date for withdrawing nominations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Voting will be held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban from 2 pm to 5 pm on February 19.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier on Tuesday, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal met with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury to have a discussion over the polls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the constitution, a new president has to be elected within 90 to 60 days prior to the end of the incumbent president's tenure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The previous presidential election schedule was announced on January 25, 2018.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Abdul Hamid was elected president unopposed for the second term on February 6 though the election was slated for February 18.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">President Abdul Hamid is set to complete his tenure on April 23 this year. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>