Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir elected Bangladesh’s 23rd President

Melbourne, 20 August-  After 35 years, Bangladesh has elected its 23rd President through a contested vote by members of parliament, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir defeating Jamaat-led 11-party alliance candidate Colonel (Retd) Oli Ahmed.

The presidential election was held on Thursday (20 August) in the chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Returning Officer A M M Nasir Uddin announced Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the winner after the votes were counted.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir secured 255 votes, while his rival Oli Ahmed received 88 votes. A total of 349 MPs were eligible to vote in the presidential election.

The ballots were counted publicly in the parliamentary chamber immediately after voting concluded. The CEC then formally announced the result.

MPs cast their votes from their respective seats using ballot papers. Each MP signed their full name on the ballot before voting for their preferred candidate.

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed was the first MP to cast his vote. He was followed by Acting Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and other MPs.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remained seated in the parliamentary chamber for more than an hour after voting began, observing the entire process. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the BNP’s presidential candidate, was seated beside him. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and veteran MP Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain were also seated nearby.

While in the chamber, the Prime Minister spoke with several MPs standing in front of him and enquired about their wellbeing.

At around 3.13pm, Tarique Rahman left the parliamentary chamber for his office, taking Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir with him.

With two candidates contesting the presidential election this year, the result was decided through a vote of MPs. It marked the first contested presidential election in Bangladesh in 35 years.

The last contested presidential election was held on 8 October 1991. BNP candidate Abdur Rahman Biswas defeated Awami League candidate Badruddoza Chowdhury and was elected President. In subsequent years, the presidential post generally had a single candidate, meaning a parliamentary vote was not required.

This time, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was nominated by the BNP and its like-minded parties. Meanwhile, the 11-party alliance, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, nominated Colonel (Retd) Oli Ahmed.

However, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s sole MP, Maulana Mahmudul Hossain Oliullah, did not vote in the presidential election. The party, led by Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, had announced that it would boycott the election.

In a statement sent to the media on Thursday, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman said the party had decided not to participate because, in its view, the government had moved away from an agreed position on the presidential election under the July Charter.

The election of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir marks a new chapter in Bangladesh’s political history, with MPs once again deciding the presidency through a contested vote after a 35-year gap.

According to the Chief Whip, newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will take the oath of office at Bangabhaban at 7pm on Friday (21 August). Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are now underway.

Election results at a glance

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir: 255 votes

Colonel (Retd) Oli Ahmed: 88 votes

Total eligible voters: 349 MPs