Bangladesh, Aug. 13 -- Bangladesh has not witnessed a contested presidential election in three and a half decades, but that changes this month, with both the ruling and Opposition parties fielding candidates.

Lawmakers will vote inside parliament to choose the country's 23rd president.

Members of parliament will cast their votes on Aug 20 to elect the head of state.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, the returning officer for the poll, has already called a sitting of MPs in the parliament chamber at 2pm that day.

Under the announced schedule, nomination papers are to be submitted by Aug 13, scrutinised on Aug 16, with Aug 18 the last day for withdrawal of candidacies.

Under the parliamentary system, the president is electe...