The presidential election on August 20 is a “special and historic occasion” for the country, with the whole world watching it, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said today.

“We expect this historic election to be conducted smoothly and beautifully. We have taken preparations accordingly. All conceivable dimensions have been covered,” Nasir Uddin said while speaking to reporters at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, a day before the election.

He acknowledged that officials and the Parliament Secretariat have little experience in conducting presidential polls. However, he said the EC had carried out “every possible and necessary drill” to prepare for the election.

Twenty EC officials will oversee the polling, with assistance from the Parliament Secretariat.

A total of 349 lawmakers will vote at the Jatiya Sangsad from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Counting will begin immediately after voting ends, and the results will be announced afterwards.

The start of voting and the counting process will be aired live on BTV. The voting of the president and prime minister will be televised live, while the broadcast may be discontinued during the rest of the voting and resume when counting begins.

Lawmakers will be allowed to observe the counting. The numbers of printed, used, unused and invalid ballots will be disclosed before the CEC announces the candidate securing the majority. The gazette will be published the same day.

Asked why the world would be interested in the election, Nasir Uddin cited the 2024 mass uprising and the resignation of a president before the end of his term, saying there is “global interest” in who becomes Bangladesh’s next president.

On expenditure, the CEC said there would be no major costs apart from printing ballots and stationery. Electricity and air-conditioning expenses for the one-day session will be borne by the Parliament Secretariat.