Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the country’s next president will be elected in accordance with the Constitution and within the stipulated timeframe.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the BRDB divisional office at the Rangpur bus terminal area, Fakhrul said the BNP would nominate its presidential candidate through the party’s internal decision-making process.

“The party will nominate the person it considers the most qualified, capable and responsible for the office. I have no personal comments on the matter,” he said.

Responding to criticism of the BNP, Fakhrul said the party had formed the government five times through direct votes of the people and had always governed with a public mandate.

“The BNP has never come to power through oppression or authoritarian means. Describing the party as fascist is politically motivated. Those making such claims lack an understanding of the party’s democratic character,” he said.

Commenting on Jamaat-e-Islami, he added that it was for the party’s own leaders to determine whether it should be regarded as a democratic political party.

Answering another question on local government elections, the minister said the Election Commission was considering proposals to introduce minimum educational qualifications for candidates and allow private-sector employees to contest polls.

“These are matters for the Election Commission. The BNP is not interfering in the process,” he said.

Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Rangpur Development Authority Chairman Shamsuzzaman Samu and District Council Administrator Saiful Islam, among others, attended the programme.

Later, Fakhrul inaugurated a rural fair at the Rangpur Public Library premises, visited exhibition stalls and distributed saplings and loan cheques among BRDB beneficiaries.