The Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1981 defines the procedure of electing the President in terms of Article 40 of the Constitution. The provisions of this Act applies when the office of President becomes vacant in terms of Article 38 of the Constitution.

The election of the president should be done within one month from the date of such vacancy. The Secretary-General of Parliament acts as the returning officer, and if more than one name of a Member of Parliament is nominated, the election shall happen by secret ballot. Finally, the name of the candidate elected to the office of President will be published in the Gazette within three days by the Secretary-General of Parliament.

For the detailed version of the process, please refer the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1981.