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Bangladesh elects BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as new president
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On August 20, veteran Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected Bangladesh's new president in the country's first contested presidential election since 1991. Alamgir, 78, received 255 votes in Parliament, defeating Liberal Democratic Party chairman Oli Ahmad, who won 88 votes with backing from an 11-party opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami. The election followed the July 24 resignation of former President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who cited health problems amid political pressure after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024. The vote reopened debate over Article 70 of the Constitution, which can strip parliamentarians of their seats if they vote against their party. A Supreme Court lawyer challenged the provision, but the High Court rejected the petition on August 18, clearing the way for the election. Alamgir, BNP secretary-general since 2016, becomes president six months after the BNP returned to power. Bangladesh's presidency is largely ceremonial but remains the constitutional head of state and commander-in-chief.
Source report
The presidential election has reignited debate over Article 70 of the Constitution, which can strip parliamentarians of their seats if they vote against their party.
Election Results
Veteran Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected Bangladesh’s new president on August 20. The 78-year-old received 255 votes in Parliament, defeating his rival, Liberal Democratic Party chairman Oli Ahmad, who won 88 votes. Ahmad was backed by an 11-party opposition alliance led by the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).
This marked the country’s first contested presidential election since 1991. Since then, all presidential candidates had been elected unopposed, with no rival entering the race.
Background
The vote came less than a month after former President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on July 24. Shahabuddin cited serious health problems, though his departure also followed sustained political pressure.
Shahabuddin was elected in 2023 with the backing of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League. After Hasina’s government fell in August 2024, several political groups and student leaders called for him to step down. Shahabuddin denied that he had resigned under pressure.
Constitutional Debate
The presidential election reopened debate over Article 70 of the Constitution, which states that parliamentarians can lose their seats if they vote against their party.
- JI leaders argued that the provision prevented MPs from voting freely and called for its reform before the election.
- A Supreme Court lawyer challenged the provision and asked the High Court to suspend the presidential election, arguing that MPs should be able to vote independently.
- The High Court rejected the petition on August 18, clearing the way for the election.
About the New President
Alamgir had served as BNP secretary-general since 2016. He became one of the party’s most recognizable faces during its long years in opposition under Hasina. His election comes six months after the BNP returned to power in the February general election, with Tarique Rahman becoming prime minister.
Role of the Presidency
Bangladesh’s presidency is largely ceremonial. However, the president remains the constitutional head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Source
The DiplomatRegional
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Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Elected Bangladesh President in First Contested Poll Since 1991