Bangladesh Elects BNP Veteran Alamgir as President

Bangladesh’s parliament has elected veteran Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the country’s new president, marking another major political development following the BNP’s return to power.

Alamgir, 78, defeated retired army colonel Oli Ahmed, who represented the Jamaat-e-Islami-led opposition alliance, by 255 votes to 88 in Thursday’s parliamentary election.

The presidency in Bangladesh is largely ceremonial, with executive power remaining in the hands of the prime minister and cabinet. However, the president serves as head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

The BNP and its allies currently control a two-thirds majority in parliament after winning the February 12 general election. The victory brought the party back to power and saw Tarique Rahman become prime minister.

Alamgir has been one of the BNP’s most prominent leaders and served as the party’s secretary-general from 2016 until his nomination for the presidency. During former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s rule, he faced several arrests and legal cases while serving as a leading opposition figure.

The presidential election was triggered by the resignation of former President Mohammed Shahabuddin last month on health grounds.

Alamgir is expected to be sworn in as president on Friday evening.

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