Bangladesh’s constitutional anti-defection provision will remain in force during the upcoming presidential election, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said on Tuesday, indicating that lawmakers will be required to follow their parties’ decisions when casting votes.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting involving parliamentary representatives, Election Commission officials and parliamentary secretariat staff, Moni said the presidential election is scheduled for Aug. 20 at the Jatiya Sangsad complex.

He said voting will take place between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., with members of parliament casting ballots according to their designated seating and division arrangements.

Moni noted that the ruling party has not yet finalized its presidential nominee. According to him, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will determine the party’s candidate, whose name is expected to be announced on the day nomination papers are submitted.

Addressing questions about Article 70 of the Constitution, which restricts lawmakers from voting against their party’s position, the chief whip said the provision remains fully effective because it has not been amended.

He warned that any member of parliament who votes contrary to the decision of their political party could face the loss of their parliamentary seat under existing constitutional rules.

Election officials briefed participants on procedures aimed at ensuring a transparent voting process. Authorities also plan to allow live media coverage of voting by the president, prime minister, opposition leader and parliamentary speaker, as well as the ballot counting process through the announcement of results.

According to parliamentary officials, a total of 349 lawmakers are eligible to vote in the election.

Meanwhile, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam announced that the opposition-backed 11-party alliance has nominated retired Colonel Oli Ahmad, a decorated freedom fighter, as its candidate for the presidency.

Nahid said the opposition decided to participate because competitive presidential elections have been rare in Bangladesh for decades. He argued that a contested election would help strengthen democratic participation and provide voters with a meaningful choice.

Moni also said that even if broader political reforms outlined in the July Charter are implemented, Article 70 would continue to apply to presidential elections under the areas where political consensus has already been reached.

On constitutional reform, he dismissed calls for establishing a separate constitutional reform council, saying amendments through parliament remain the preferred path for institutional changes. He pointed to India’s history of constitutional amendments as an example of how democratic systems can evolve without drafting an entirely new constitution.

The chief whip added that the government plans to introduce new legislation in the next parliamentary session as part of efforts to implement commitments contained in the July Charter and strengthen democratic institutions.