Bangladesh, Aug. 7 -- So there will be a new president of the republic no later than August 20, as the Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule for the presidential election on the last working day of the week. Provided both the ruling party and the opposition nominate separate candidates, that is the date voting will take place in Parliament. If on the other hand a consensus candidate emerges, we may know as early as August 16 who will occupy the highest office in the state.

Not that Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, in fulfilling his duties as acting president since July 24, has left us wanting. Much like the authority and integrity with which he has fulfilled his duties as Speaker of the 13th Jatiya Sangshad, the BNP stalwart, even in...