Ruling Awami League on Wednesday nominated incumbent President M Abdul Hamid as its candidate to contest the presidential election slated for February 18.

The nomination was finalised at a meeting of the Awami League Parliamentary Board held at the Prime Minister’s official residence Ganobhaban with Sheikh Hasina in the chair, reports the UNB.

‘The meeting unanimously nominated Mohammad Abdul Hamid for contesting the presidential polls,’ Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader told a press briefing after the meeting.

He said he proposed Hamid’s name as the party candidate while Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed supported it.

After that, they discussed it for one hour and 10 minutes, he said.

The Election Commission (EC) on January 25 last announced that the voting to elect the next President of the country will be held between 2pm and 5pm on February 18 at the Jatiya Sangsad.

The EC fixed February 5 for nomination paper collection and submission.

Nomination papers will be scrutinised on February 7, while candidature can be withdrawn till 4pm on February 10.

As two parliament members died recently, 348 members out of 350 will be eligible to vote in the presidential election.

The tenure of incumbent President Abdul Hamid will end on April 23. As per the constitution, the presidential election should be held within 30 days from January 24.