A preparatory meeting for the 2026 presidential election was held at the Cabinet Room of Parliament on Tuesday.

Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal MP chaired the meeting.

Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam and Whips Md G K Gouse, Rakibul Islam Bakul, Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia and A B M Ashraf Uddin Nizan attended the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal said the state structure must be freed from fascism in all spheres.

“The 2026 presidential election is going to be held at a historic moment in building a fascism-free Bangladesh,” he said

During the meeting, all necessary preparations, including the use of the Jatiya Sangsad chamber for holding the 2026 presidential election, all necessary logistical support and ensuring the attendance of Members of Parliament, were discussed.

The meeting also instructed completing all necessary preparations and providing logistical support for the election.

According to the election schedule announced by the Election Commission, the 2026 presidential election will be held in the Parliament chamber on Thursday, August 20.

The Chief Election Commissioner will conduct the election as the return officer in line with the Presidential Election Act, 1991.

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, Parliament Secretary Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan and other senior officials concerned of the Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting.

This time the presidential election is going to be a contested one after 35 years in the country as the opposition Jamaat-led 11-party alliance has already announced Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed as its presidential aspirant.