Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh through a parliamentary vote held in Dhaka

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh through a parliamentary vote held in Dhaka

¨     Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh on 20 August 2026 through a parliamentary vote held in Dhaka.

¨     Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is a veteran leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

¨     He secured 255 votes and won the presidential election.

¨     His rival, Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed of the Liberal Democratic Party, received 88 votes.

¨     The election was held on 20 August 2026 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. inside the chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad in Dhaka.

¨     Three transparent ballot boxes were used during the voting process.

¨     Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced that 343 valid votes were cast out of 349 eligible members of Parliament.

¨     Six lawmakers did not vote.

¨     Under the Constitution of Bangladesh, the President is the head of state.

¨     In Bangladesh’s parliamentary system, the President’s position is largely ceremonial, while executive authority is exercised by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

¨     Bangabhaban in Dhaka serves as the official residence and principal workplace of the President.

¨     The presidential oath is administered at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

¨   The 20 August 2026 election was Bangladesh’s first contested presidential election in 35 years.

¨     Since 1991, the position of head of state had generally been filled through consensus.

¨     Former President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on 24 July 2026 due to health issues.

¨  Following his resignation, Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed served as interim President until the presidential election.