Historic Vote: Mirza Fakhrul Becomes Bangladesh’s New President

Bangladesh Elects Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as 23rd President

Bangladesh has elected veteran Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the country’s 23rd President. He defeated Col. (Retd.) Oli Ahmed in a historic parliamentary vote.

Alamgir secured 255 votes, while Oli Ahmed received 88 votes. The election was Bangladesh’s first contested presidential poll since 1991, marking the first time in 35 years that lawmakers had to choose between multiple candidates for the presidency. 

The 78-year-old veteran politician is expected to take oath on August 21. The presidency is largely ceremonial, while executive authority remains with the prime minister and cabinet.