Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) said Sunday ruling Awami League leader Zillur Rahman becomes the only candidate for presidential election.

BEC spokesperson S.M. Asaduzzaman told Xinhua Rahman is the only person who submitted nomination to BEC before the deadline.

According to the presidential election schedule announced by the BEC on Jan. 29, Feb. 8 would be the last date for filing nomination, Feb. 9 as the date for scrutiny, Feb. 11 as the last date for withdrawal of candidature, and Feb. 16 as the date for voting.

Rahman used to be a lawyer in Supreme Court. He was minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry from1996 to 2001 when Awami League was in power.

Awami League-led 15-party alliance won landslide victory in Bangladesh's 9th parliamentary elections held in Dec. 29, last year. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina became prime minister and formed her cabinet on Jan. 6.

Bangladesh's current president is Iajuddin Ahemd whose term already expired.

Bangladesh is taking parliamentary system. President is nominal head of state who is elected by Parliament with a term of 5 years.

Source:Xinhua