Ruling Bangladesh National Party candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is elected as the country’s new president, the first electoral for the post conducted in 35 years.
The 78-year-old leader defeated his rival Oli Ahmed nominated by the opposition 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami.
Before the vote, Alamgir had promised to “remain beside the people and serve them” after assuming his new role.
Earlier on Tuesday, I never thought that I would become the president — it is the infinite grace of the party and almighty Allah,” he told reporters.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s BNP won a landslide victory in February, in the first elections since a 2024 uprising ousted the government of Sheikh Hasina.The presidency vote follows the resignation in July of the previous president, Mohammed Shahabuddin, 76, a close ally of Hasina who had faced pressure to quit.Widely known as “Chuppu”, he was elected in 2023 and stepped down citing ill health. His term was due to end in 2028.
Born on January 26, 1948, Alamgir entered politics while studying economics at Dhaka University. He was a key student leader in the 1969 uprising opposing military rule by Pakistan, a stepping-stone towards Bangladesh’s eventual independence in 1971.