International
oi-Swastika Sruti
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emerged as the president-elect of Bangladesh following a contested presidential election, which was held after a gap of 35 years in the country.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected President-elect of Bangladesh with 255 votes in the nation’s first contested presidential election in 35 years, defeating Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, who received 88 votes; Alamgir will take the oath on Friday.
The 78-year-old leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) beat Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, who is the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and the candidate of an 11-party opposition alliance headed by the Jamaat-e-Islami party.
As per Chief Election Commissioner and Returning Officer AMM Nasir Uddin, Alamgir won 255 votes, while Oli Ahmed obtained 88 votes.
Out of 349 members of parliament registered as voters, 343 voted. There were six abstainers among the members of parliament.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir To Take Oath On Friday
Alamgir will take his oath as the new President of Bangladesh on Friday night, a ceremony to be held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, which is the official presidential palace of Bangladesh.
The election of Alamgir as the new President of Bangladesh is seen as a historic event for Bangladesh politics since elections for the office of president have usually been uncontested in recent times.
Introducing Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is a senior BNP leader and has been one of the party’s prominent political figures for several years.
His election gives the ruling BNP a significant position at the top of Bangladesh’s constitutional structure. The presidency is largely a ceremonial position, while executive power rests primarily with the government and the Prime Minister.
Oli Ahmed Was Backed By Opposition Alliance
Alamgir’s rival, who is Colonel (retired) Oli Ahmed, happens to be the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Oli Ahmed was the party representing the 11-member opposition alliance whose leading member is Jamaat-e-Islami.
Despite getting 88 votes, Oli Ahmed failed to match the votes of Alamgir from the legislators.
As the results indicated, Alamgir got a majority of 255 votes as compared to Oli Ahmed’s 88.
Election Held After Mohammed Shahabuddin Resigned
The presidential election became necessary after Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned from office last month. Shahabuddin, who had been a close aide of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stepped down on health grounds before completing his five-year term.
His resignation created a vacancy in the country’s highest constitutional office and led to the election process that has now resulted in Alamgir’s victory.
