Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Sworn In as Bangladesh President
Bangladesh’s Parliament chose Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as its new president.
He received 255 votes, while Colonel Oli Ahmed received 88.
Oli was supported by an opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies.
This was Bangladesh’s first presidential election with more than one candidate in 35 years.
The vote was needed because former President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned.
Parliament had to choose a replacement within 90 days.
Alamgir took his oath on Friday at Bangabhaban.
The president is mostly a ceremonial leader, but the office has important constitutional duties.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir won Bangladesh’s presidential election with 255 votes.
Opposition-backed Colonel (Retired) Oli Ahmed received 88 votes.
The election was Bangladesh’s first contested presidential poll since 1991.
Of 349 eligible parliamentary voters, 343 participated in the ballot.
Alamgir took the oath as the 23rd president at Bangabhaban on Friday.
- Who
- Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected over Colonel (Retired) Oli Ahmed.
- What
- Bangladesh’s Parliament elected Alamgir as the country’s 23rd president, and he later took the oath.
- When
- The election was held on Thursday and the oath ceremony took place on Friday.
- Where
- Voting took place at the Jatiya Sangsad in Dhaka, and the oath was administered at Bangabhaban’s Darbar Hall.
- Why
- The election followed President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s resignation and was required within 90 days of the vacancy.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Candidate
Opposition Alliance Candidate
Presidential contest
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Candidate
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party nominated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who won with 255 votes.
Opposition Alliance Candidate
Colonel (Retired) Oli Ahmed contested as the nominee of an 11-party opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and supported by allies including the National Citizen Party.
Meaning of the election
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Candidate
Alamgir’s victory filled the presidential vacancy and ended the interim arrangement under which the Speaker was acting president.
Opposition Alliance Candidate
The opposition’s decision to nominate Oli made the election the first contested presidential poll in Bangladesh in 35 years.
Presidential role
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Candidate
Under Bangladesh’s parliamentary system, the president is primarily a ceremonial head of state.
Opposition Alliance Candidate
The office retains constitutional responsibilities, including appointing the prime minister and chief justice and serving as supreme commander of the armed forces, generally on the prime minister’s advice.
- Winning candidate
- Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader
- Vote result
- Alamgir received 255 votes; Oli Ahmed received 88
- Participation
- 343 of 349 eligible parliamentary voters cast ballots
- Voting period
- Voting took place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time
- Historical significance
- The first contested presidential election in Bangladesh since 1991
- Oath ceremony
- Alamgir was sworn in at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban on Friday
- Constitutional deadline
- Parliament must elect a new president within 90 days of a vacancy
Sources
Veteran BNP Leader Mirza Alamgir Elected 23rd President Of Bangladesh
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Sworn In as Bangladesh President After Contested Election
BNP's Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir elected Bangladesh President in first contested poll in 35 years
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir takes oath as Bangladesh's President
