Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Bangladesh Parliament Elects BNP Veteran Alamgir as President
Bangladesh’s Parliament chose Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the country’s new president.
He is a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP.
Alamgir received 255 votes, while Oli Ahmed received 88.
Six of the 349 registered lawmakers did not vote.
This was the first contested presidential election in Bangladesh since 1991.
The election was needed because former President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned, saying he was ill.
Parliament held the vote in Dhaka on Thursday.
Alamgir is expected to take his oath at Bangabhaban on Friday evening.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir won Bangladesh’s presidential election with 255 parliamentary votes.
Opposition alliance nominee Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed received 88 votes.
Of 349 registered voters, 343 lawmakers voted and six did not.
The election was Bangladesh’s first contested presidential poll since 1991.
Alamgir is scheduled to take the oath on Friday evening at Bangabhaban.
- Who
- Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected over Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, the nominee of a Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance.
- What
- Bangladesh’s Parliament elected Alamgir as the country’s 23rd president.
- When
- The election was held on Thursday; the oath is scheduled for Friday evening.
- Where
- Voting took place at the Jatiya Sangsad in Dhaka, and the oath is scheduled at Bangabhaban.
- Why
- The election followed President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s resignation on health grounds before the end of his term.
BNP Candidate
Opposition Alliance Candidate
Presidential contest
BNP Candidate
The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party nominated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who won 255 parliamentary votes.
Opposition Alliance Candidate
The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance nominated Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, who received 88 votes.
Political significance
BNP Candidate
Alamgir’s election moves a veteran BNP leader from party leadership into the presidency after the party came to power.
Opposition Alliance Candidate
Oli Ahmed’s nomination gave the election an alternative candidate, making it the first contested presidential poll in Bangladesh since 1991.
- Winner
- Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate
- Vote result
- Alamgir won 255 votes; Oli Ahmed received 88
- Participation
- 343 of 349 registered parliamentary voters cast ballots; six did not vote
- Historical significance
- The election was Bangladesh’s first contested presidential poll since 1991
- Oath ceremony
- Scheduled for Friday evening at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban
- Predecessor
- Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned in July on health grounds before completing his five-year term
- Election official
- Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the result and served as returning officer
Sources
Bangladesh elects BNP veteran Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as new president
BNP's Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir elected as new President of Bangladesh - Telegraph India
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir elected Bangladesh’s 23rd president
Bangladesh Elects Ruling Party's Alamgir As President
BNP's Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Elected as Bangladesh's New President, Oath Taking on Friday
Ruling BNP’s ex-gen secy Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir elected Bangladesh’s 23rd President
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir elected Bangladesh’s 23rd president, replaces Hasina-era loyalist
