Voting has commenced in Bangladesh's presidential election, marking the return of a contested parliamentary vote for the head of state after 35 years.

The three-hour polling session began at 2:10 pm inside the session chamber of the Bangladesh Parliament and is scheduled to close at 5 pm.

A total of 349 Members of Parliament are eligible to vote.

The election features BNP-nominated candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir contesting against Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmad, the nominee of the opposition Jamaat-led 11-party alliance.

Following the opening recitation from the Holy Quran, Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram and Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal were the first to vote at 2:10 pm.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, accompanied by candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, deposited his ballot at 2:11 pm to the sound of desk-thumping from lawmakers.

Mirza Fakhrul then cast his vote and exchanged greetings with fellow MPs, including Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Deputy Opposition Leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remained in the chamber for over an hour, observing the process and greeting lawmakers, before exiting at 3:13 pm alongside Mirza Fakhrul.

Before balloting began, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin briefed lawmakers on the voting procedures, identified the candidates alongside their proposers and seconders, and outlined how ballot papers must be placed in the ballot box.

With the ruling BNP holding a parliamentary majority, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is widely expected to be elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh.

Article 70 of the Constitution restricts voting choices, stating that MPs will lose their seats if they vote against their party's official stance.

This marks the first contested parliamentary vote for the presidency since October 8, 1991, when BNP candidate Abdur Rahman Biswas defeated Awami League nominee Badrul Haider Chowdhury by a vote of 172 to 92 to become the 11th President.

Subsequent presidential elections did not require voting because candidates were elected unopposed.

The current election follows the resignation of President Md. Sahabuddin on July 24 after which Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assumed the responsibilities of Acting President.

In compliance with Article 123(2) of the Constitution, which demands a replacement within 90 days of a resignation, the Election Commission (EC) released the election schedule on August 6.

The CEC, serving as the returning officer, will announce the final vote count inside Parliament immediately after polling ends.

The EC will subsequently publish the results in an official gazette.

Bangabhaban is preparing to host the newly elected President's swearing-in ceremony on Friday evening.

The ballot paper consists of a counterfoil and the main ballot portion.

The counterfoil records the serial number, the MP's name, and their divisional constituency number provided by the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat.

Lawmakers must sign their full name on the counterfoil before receiving their ballot, sign beside their chosen candidate's name on the right side of the paper, and deposit it into the ballot box.

The electorate consists of 349 voters due to a vacancy in the Chattogram-4 constituency.

The total includes 247 BNP lawmakers, 77 Jamaat MPs, eight NCP lawmakers, eight independent MPs, three Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis MPs, and one lawmaker each from the Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganosamhati Andolon, Khilafat Majlis, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party.

The ruling camp holds 250 lawmakers—including BNP allies BJP, Gono Odhikar Parishad, and Ganosamhati Andolon—who are expected to vote for Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

The opposition coalition, consisting of Jamaat, NCP, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Khilafat Majlis, and the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, holds 90 lawmakers expected to vote for Oli Ahmad.

For official notices, schedules, and live updates, visit the Bangladesh Parliament portal or check publications from the Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat.