Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is set to take oath as the 23rd President of the country on Friday after being elected President in a contested vote by members of parliament after a long 35 years. Acting Speaker of the National Assembly Barrister Kaiser Kamal will administer the oath to the newly elected President.
The oath-taking ceremony will be held at the historic Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban on Friday (August 21) at 7:30 pm. The outgoing President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Chief Justice, former Presidents, cabinet members, diplomats from various countries, high-ranking government officials and dignitaries will be present at the President’s oath-taking ceremony.
Security has been beefed up in and around Bangabhaban for the swearing-in ceremony. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said that some traffic regulations will be in effect on the roads around Bangabhaban from 3 pm to 9 pm on Friday. However, vehicles of invited guests will be exempted from these regulations.
Elected with 255 votes
Voting for the presidential election was held in the session room of the National Parliament Building on Thursday (August 20). The votes were counted publicly after the voting from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Out of a total of 349 voters, 343 valid votes were cast in the election. Of these, BNP nominated candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir received 255 votes. His rival, 11-party unity candidate Col. (retd.) Oli Ahmed, received 88 votes.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Chief Electoral Officer of the election AMM Nasir Uddin announced the results and declared Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir elected as the 23rd President of the country.
After a long 35 years, a direct vote was held in parliament with multiple candidates contesting the presidential election. The last time a contested presidential election was held in parliament was in 1991.
According to the constitution, the President holds the highest constitutional position in the country. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will formally assume the responsibility of the country’s head of state through the oath-taking ceremony.