BNP alliance candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been elected Bangladesh’s 23rd president by a comfortable margin, with no lawmaker voting against the alliance’s decision.
He secured the country’s highest constitutional office through direct voting by lawmakers in the parliamentary chamber — the first contested presidential election in 35 years.
Election Commission has issued the gazette notification confirming his election.
Voting was held from 2pm to 5pm on Thursday in the parliamentary chamber. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the results after counting the ballots.
Of the 343 votes cast, Mirza Fakhrul received 255, while Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, the candidate of the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, secured 88 votes. The CEC congratulated the newly elected president after announcing the results.
Under the Constitution, lawmakers would have lost their parliamentary membership if they voted against their alliance candidates. No lawmaker did so. However, six lawmakers did not cast their votes.
Those who abstained included BNP lawmakers Mirza Abbas, Osman Faruk and Mostafa Kamal Pasha, who are undergoing treatment.
The others were Khelafat Majlis lawmaker Abul Hasan, now abroad, independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana and expelled Jamaat lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam.
The new president will take oath at Bangabhaban on Friday evening. Several heads of state and government have already congratulated him.
BNP leaders and activists across the country welcomed the election of Mirza Fakhrul, a veteran party leader, as president.
After the CEC announced the results, the president-elect stood up and waved to express his gratitude. Ruling party lawmakers congratulated him with applause and desk tapping.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, seated beside Mirza Fakhrul, shook hands with him and presented him with a red rose. Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman and other lawmakers also congratulated him.
The prime minister and opposition leader were later seen embracing each other. Mirza Fakhrul also joined a photo session with lawmakers.
After voting ended, EC officials counted the ballots in the presence of lawmakers under the supervision of the CEC. The results were announced at 5:18pm.
Although Mirza Fakhrul cast his vote, Oli Ahmed could not vote as he is not a lawmaker.
Three transparent ballot boxes were placed in the middle of the parliamentary chamber. Lawmakers began entering the chamber 15 minutes before voting started. Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman entered with party lawmakers at 1:56pm.
Tarique Rahman entered later and was welcomed by lawmakers present.
Voting began at 2pm.
Before voting, EC officials inspected the transparent ballot boxes in the presence of Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam.
CEC Nasir explained the voting procedure, including ballot collection, casting votes and depositing ballots into boxes.
Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed entered the chamber at 2:11pm and cast the first vote. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman later shook hands with him. Hafiz Uddin also exchanged greetings with Mirza Fakhrul and Shafiqur Rahman before leaving the chamber.
Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal then cast his vote. Separate arrangements were made in the chamber for the acting president and acting speaker.
Tarique and Fakhrul later cast their votes. The opposition leader voted at 2:19pm, after which lawmakers continued voting in a queue until 5pm.
Bangladesh Television and Sangshad Television broadcast key parts of the presidential election process live.
Although the entire three-hour voting process was not aired, recordings were preserved. The opening of ballot boxes, vote counting and announcement of results were also broadcast.
The last contested presidential election was held on 8 October 1991.
Since then, elections held in 1996, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2013, 2018 and 2023 did not require voting as there was only one candidate. Each time, the sole candidate was elected unopposed.
The trend changed this year after the Jamaat-led alliance nominated a separate candidate, resulting in the first contested presidential election through lawmakers’ votes in 35 years.
Chief Whip Moni said Fakhrul will take oath at Bangabhaban on Friday.
The ceremony is scheduled for 7:30pm at the Durbar Hall.
Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal will administer the oath as Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed is currently serving as acting president.
Under Article 74(3) of the Constitution, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal is performing the duties of speaker during this period.
After taking oath, Fakhrul’s parliamentary membership will become vacant and his ministerial responsibilities will end.
The swearing-in of the new president will mark the end of Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed’s tenure, who completed his final day at Bangabhaban on Thursday.
The last president elected during the Awami League government, Mohammed Shahabuddin, resigned on 24 July, citing health reasons.
