Oli Ahmed Named Opposition Candidate for President

The nomination paper of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Col. (retd) Oli Ahmed was submitted to the Election Commission on behalf of the 11-party alliance for the country’s 23rd presidential election. Leaders of the alliance submitted the nomination paper to Chief Election Commissioner and presidential election officer Mr. A M M Nasir Uddin. The presidential election is scheduled for August 20. Col. (retd) Mr. Oli Ahmed said, “If elected, I will never betray the nation. I will do what is best for the country.” According to the Election Commission, Opposition Leader and Dhaka-15 MP Dr. Shafikur Rahman is the proposer of Mr. Oli’s nomination, while NCP’s Narayanganj-4 MP Abdullah Al Amin is the seconder.

Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Dr. A H M Hamidur Rahman Azad and NCP Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari submitted the nomination paper. Senior leaders of the 11-party alliance and several MPs were present. The alliance finalised Col. (retd) Mr. Oli Ahmed’s candidacy at a meeting on August 9. Opposition Leader and Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafikur Rahman said, “For the welfare of the country, we have nominated Col. (retd) Oli Ahmed for president.” Born in 1941, Col. (retd) Mr. Oli Ahmed is a veteran politician and former military officer. He joined the Pakistan Army in 1967 and took part in the Liberation War under then-Major Ziaur Rahman in Sector 1. He was the first military officer to receive the Bir Bikram gallantry award for his role in the war. After retiring from the army in 1980, he joined the BNP and later became a founding member of the LDP in 2006. He served as an MP several times and held important ministerial positions in the government of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He later became chairman of the LDP.