Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Elected Bangladesh’s 23rd President

BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh, securing a clear majority of votes from members of parliament.

Voting for the presidential election was held from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on Thursday at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka in a festive atmosphere.

According to the results announced by the Chief Election Commissioner, Alamgir received 255 of the 343 valid votes, while his rival, Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, the candidate of the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, received 88 votes. Six MPs did not cast their ballots.

The Election Commission published the official gazette announcing the result on Thursday night. Alamgir is scheduled to take the oath of office at Bangabhaban on Friday evening.

Following the announcement of the results, the newly elected president stood and waved to the lawmakers in appreciation. BNP lawmakers applauded and thumped their desks to congratulate him. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman shook hands with Alamgir, while the opposition leader and other lawmakers also extended their congratulations.

The election took place during a special meeting of parliament, as there was no regular parliamentary session underway. Transparent ballot boxes were placed on three tables in the chamber, and lawmakers cast their votes in the presence of election officials.

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed cast the first ballot at around 2:11pm, followed by Acting Speaker Barrister Kaisar Kamal, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and presidential candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman cast his vote at 2:19pm.

After voting ended at 5:00pm, election officials opened the ballot boxes and counted the votes in the presence of lawmakers. The counting was conducted under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, who formally announced the result at 5:18pm.

Although Alamgir was able to vote as an MP and presidential candidate, his opponent Oli Ahmed could not cast a ballot because he is not a member of parliament.

Six MPs did not vote in the election. They included BNP lawmakers Mirza Abbas, Osman Faruk and Mostafa Kamal Pasha; expelled Jamaat MP Gazi Nazrul Islam; Khelafat Majlish MP Abul Hasan; and independent MP Barrister Rumin Farhana.

The important stages of the election, including voting by the acting president, acting speaker, prime minister, opposition leader and presidential candidate, as well as the opening of ballot boxes, vote counting and announcement of the result, were broadcast live.

Oath-taking on Friday

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will take the oath as Bangladesh’s 23rd president at Bangabhaban at 7:30pm on Friday. Acting Speaker Barrister Kaisar Kamal is scheduled to administer the oath.

With his assumption of the presidency, Alamgir’s parliamentary seat will become vacant and his ministerial responsibilities will come to an end. His inauguration will also mark the conclusion of Hafiz Uddin Ahmed’s tenure as acting president.

Government Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said the election had been conducted in accordance with the existing constitutional procedures, including preparation of the voter list, announcement of the election schedule, voting and the oath-taking process.

International congratulations

Following Alamgir’s election, congratulations were sent by several countries and diplomatic missions, including China and the United Kingdom.

The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka said China attaches great importance to friendship and relations with Bangladesh and is ready to work closely with the newly elected president to build a shared future and promote mutual cooperation.

The British High Commission in Dhaka also congratulated Alamgir on his election as president.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman congratulated the newly elected president with a red rose at parliament. Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus also extended his congratulations, saying Alamgir’s long political experience and vision for state governance would further strengthen the constitutional dignity of the country.