Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir becomes President of Bangladesh

BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected the President of the country through a contested election.

He received 255 votes and Colonel Oli bagged 80 votes.

The votes were counted publicly after the voting in the presidential election in the session room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday.

Later, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and election officer AMM Nasir Uddin announced the results.

Of the total 349 registered voters, 349 ballot papers were printed, while 343 ballot papers were used.

Among the 349 voters, six lawmakers didn't vote in the presidential election.

Announcing the result, the returning officer said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir secured the highest number of votes and was therefore duly elected president of Bangladesh.

The CEC also congratulated the two contesting candidates as well as the members of parliament who participated in the election.

The Election Commission will publish the election result in an official gazette today.

Earlier, voting was held from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, with members of Parliament (MPs) casting their votes through an open ballot to elect the country’s 23rd President.

At the beginning of the balloting, Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, and Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal cast their votes at 2:10 pm, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at 2:11pm.

Just before the balloting, CEC AMM Nasir Uddin announced the names of the two candidates for president and explained the voting procedure for Members of Parliament.

He also explained how the ballot papers should be placed in the ballot box.

Since the Chattogram-4 parliamentary seat remains vacant, the number of voters was 349.

The voters include 247 BNP lawmakers, 77 Jamaat MPs, eight NCP lawmakers, eight independent MPs, three Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis MPs, and one each from Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganosamhati Andolon, Khilafat Majlis, Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party.

BJP, Gono Odhikar Parishad and Ganosamhati Andolon are allies of the ruling BNP. The ruling camp has 250 lawmakers.

On the other hand, Jamaat, NCP, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Khilafat Majlis and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party are components of the 11-party opposition alliance. The opposition camp has 90 lawmakers in Parliament.

On the other hand, Bangabhaban is making preparations to arrange the oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected President on Friday evening.

The last contested presidential election was held on October 8, 1991, when BNP candidate Abdur Rahman Biswas defeated Awami League candidate Badrul Haider Chowdhury to become the country’s 11th President. 

Abdur Rahman Biswas secured 172 votes, while Badrul Haider Chowdhury received 92.

Since then, no voting was required in the successive presidential elections as a single candidate was elected uncontested in each election.

On July 24 last, Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned as President and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad took charge as the acting President.

According to Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacant office of the President must be held within 90 days of the post becoming vacant due to resignation.