Dhaka: Khaleda Zia was re-elected BNP chairperson while her son Tarique Rahman elected party’s senior vice-chairman before the party’s council session as no one else filed nomination to contest the elections to the posts.

BNP standing committee member and chairman of the party’s election commission, formed on the eve of its 6th national council, Jamiruddin Sircar on Sunday announced it at the party’ central office in Dhaka.

Sircar said Khaleda and Tarique were elected unopposed in their respective posts for a three-year term.

He, however, said the party’s national council will finally approve the election results on March 19.

On March 2, the party distributed nomination papers for elections to its top two posts. Election agents of Khaleda and Tarique collected nomination papers on their behalf on that day from the party’s returning officer at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

Their nomination papers were submitted also by their agents on Friday.

As per the election schedule announced by Sircar, the last date for withdrawing nomination for two the posts expired 4pm Sunday while the election was billed for March 19.

With the fresh term, Khaleda was elected BNP chairperson for the four consecutive times while Tarique is going to take over the charge of party vice chairman for the second time.

Khaleda Zia has been holding the party chairperson’s post since 1984.

Tarique who has been living in London since September 11, 2008 after being released from jail on parole was made party’s senior vice-chairman in its fifth national council.

The party has recently amended its constitution, including a provision for holding election to party senior vice-chairperson post alongside chairperson one.