Bangladesh elects ruling party veteran Alamgir as president
Lawmakers are voting by open ballot, with 349 MPs eligible to choose between rival candidates and the result due after counting.
- On Thursday, Bangladesh lawmakers began voting for the country's 23rd president in the first contested poll in 35 years, choosing between Ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and opposition nominee Colonel Oli Ahmed.
- The election follows the resignation of former President Mohammed Shahabuddin last month on health grounds before completing his five-year tenure; the Constitution mandates the vote occur within 90 days of vacancy.
- Supported by his party's two-thirds parliamentary majority, Alamgir appears well-positioned to secure the presidency. Speaking to lawmakers on Wednesday, he pledged to uphold the nation's independence and sovereignty.
- Voting continues until 5 p.m. local time, after which the Election Commission will publish results in the official gazette. The president-elect will take the oath on Friday evening at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.
- Analysts note the presidency could gain significance under the caretaker government system recently reintroduced to oversee general elections, when the president's power would increase in commanding the armed forces. The BNP manifesto promised to potentially amend the Constitution to enhance presidential authority.
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BNPs Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir elected as 23rd President of Bangladesh - The Tribune
Former Secretary General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected as the country's 23rd President on Thursday, securing 255 votes in the presidential election held at the Jatiya Sangsad here.
Bangladesh elects ruling party veteran Alamgir as president
DHAKA, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Bangladeshi lawmakers elected veteran Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the country's new president on Thursday, making the long-time opposition figure the head of state afte...
Meet Mirza Islam Alamgir and Colonel Oli Ahmed, nominees for Bangladesh presidential election
Bangladesh's presidential election commenced, marking the first contested race in 35 years. Lawmakers are voting for the 23rd president, with BNP's Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and LDP's Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed as candidates. Results are expected shortly after vote counting concludes.
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