Bangladesh elects Hamid as president for second consecutive term

Dhaka: Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid was today re-elected uncontested for another five-year term, becoming the only leader who will be serving for a second consecutive term. "He has been elected president unopposed," Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda said in a press conference as no one else contested for the highest office of the republic. The Awami League last week nominated 74-year-old Hamid to contest the presidential election saying the party's parliamentary party board unanimously nominated him. "The (Awami League parliamentary) Board nominated him for the presidency taking into account the current political situation, his long checkered political career and commitment to the country," the party s general secretary Obaidul Quader said at that time. With the Awami League having an absolute majority in parliament, it was certain that Hamid will get re-elected. A veteran politician and former parliamentary speaker, Hamid was first elected unopposed as the president being the Awami League nominee in 2013 when the then president Zillur Rahman died due to old age ailments. On April 24, 2013, Hamid was sworn in as the 20th president of Bangladesh. Agencies