Prime Minister Congratulates Newly Elected President Mirza Fakhrul

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman congratulated BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir after he was elected as Bangladesh’s 23rd president.

The prime minister presented flowers to the newly elected president at the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday afternoon.

Mirza Fakhrul was elected by members of Parliament, receiving 255 of the 343 valid votes. Col. (retd.) Oli Ahmed received 88 votes.

Voting began at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Parliament chamber and ended at 5 p.m.

Chief Whip of Parliament Nurul Islam Moni said preparations had been made for the president-elect to take the oath at Bangabhaban at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.

Acting Speaker Kaisar Kamal will administer the oath.

The presidential election was contested for the first time in 35 years. For much of that period, presidential elections did not require voting because there was only one candidate.