Bangladesh has elected BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as its new President, marking the country’s first contested presidential election in 35 years.
The 78-year-old ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate defeated Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party and the nominee of an 11-party opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami.
Chief Election Commissioner and Returning Officer AMM Nasir Uddin said Alamgir secured 255 votes, compared with 88 votes for Oli Ahmed. Of the 349 registered voters, 343 participated in the election, while six lawmakers did not cast their ballots.
Alamgir To Take Oath On Friday
Alamgir is scheduled to be sworn in as Bangladesh’s President on Friday evening at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban. His election marks a major shift from recent presidential polls, in which the largely ceremonial post was generally filled through consensus or uncontested elections.
Election Follows Shahabuddin’s Resignation
The election was necessitated by the resignation of Mohammed Shahabuddin, who stepped down last month citing health reasons before completing his five-year term. Shahabuddin had been a close aide of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was removed from power.
Alamgir’s victory now puts the senior BNP leader at the head of Bangladesh’s presidency after a contested vote not witnessed in the country since 1991.
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