According to party sources, the party chairman has finalised this long-serving secretary general as the party's choice for the post of president. Earlier, the party's senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and the chief whip of the government party in parliament, Nurul Islam Moni, had collected two nomination forms from the Election Commission for the presidential election. However, the party's National Standing Committee had entrusted Tarique Rahman with the responsibility of selecting the party candidate.

As BNP has a majority in parliament, it is believed that the party's nominated candidate is almost certain to become the country's 23rd president. The Election Commission has scheduled the presidential election for August 20. However, if Mirza Fakhrul becomes the only valid candidate, a vote in parliament will not be required, and he can be declared elected unopposed.

The presidency fell vacant after Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on July 24. Since then, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has been serving as acting president. According to the constitution, the election must be completed within 90 days of the presidency falling vacant. If Mirza Fakhrul goes to Bangabhaban, one of the most important organisational posts within BNP will become vacant for the first time in a decade.