Dhaka: The Election Commission on Wednesday declared ruling Awami League candidate Mohammad Abdul Hamid elected President of Bangladesh unopposed for the second consecutive term.

Finding no other candidate in the presidential race, Returning Officer of the presidential election and Chief Election

Commissioner KM Nurul Huda made the announcement at a press conference at the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban.

‘Since there is only one candidate and the nomination paper was found valid during scrutiny today (Wednesday), I declare him elected… He’ll be the 21^st President of Bangladesh,’ the CEC said.

The gazette over the election result will be published on Wednesday, he added.

The present five-year tenure of Abdul Hamid will expire on April 23 next as he took office on April 24, 2013.

According to article 123 of the Constitution, the Presidential election shall be held between 90 and 60 days before expiry of the five-year term.

The Election Commission on January 25 announced the schedule for the presidential election fixing February 18 for the balloting.

The deadline for the submission of nomination paper was Monday last. The last date for withdrawal of the candidature was February 10.

The nomination paper for Abdul Hamid was collected on February 2 and submitted to the Commission on February 5.

Awami League on January 31 nominated Abdul Hamid as its candidate to contest the presidential election.