BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been elected as Bangladesh’s 23rd president, defeating 11-party alliance nominee Oli Ahmed.
Mirza Fakhrul secured 255 votes, while Oli Ahmed received 88 votes, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the result on Thursday afternoon.
Voting began at around 2:00pm in the session hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram cast the first ballot, followed by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and presidential candidate Mirza Fakhrul.
BNP lawmaker Mirza Abbas could not participate in the election due to illness and medical treatment.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin served as the returning officer, with officials from the Election Commission and Parliament Secretariat assisting in the process.
The presidential election was last contested on October 8, 1991. Elections held in 1996, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2013, 2018 and 2023 did not require voting as there was only one candidate each time.
Ruling-party Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said the newly elected president is scheduled to take oath at Bangabhaban at 7:30pm on Friday.
