Prime Minister Tarique Rahman congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir after the election result was announced, presenting the newly elected president with a red rose.

BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was declared elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh on Thursday, following a presidential election in which he defeated his only rival, Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmad.

The announcement triggered a celebratory atmosphere inside the Parliament Chamber, with lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition benches coming forward to congratulate the newly elected president.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Returning Officer AMM Nasir Uddin announced the final result at 5:20 pm after the counting of ballots was completed in the Parliament Chamber.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir secured 255 votes in the election while Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmad, who contested as the candidate of the 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, received 88 votes.

Announcing the result, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said, “Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has secured 255 votes. I declare that, having received the highest number of votes, he has been duly elected President.”

Immediately after the declaration, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman rose from his seat and approached Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman shook hands with the newly elected president before presenting Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir with a red rose.

The announcement was followed by congratulations from lawmakers across the Parliament Chamber.

Members of Parliament expressed their support for Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir by thumping their desks, creating a lively and celebratory atmosphere inside the chamber.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir responded to the lawmakers by raising his hand and greeting them.

The lawmakers continued to applaud and thump their desks as they welcomed Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir following his election as president.

Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and other opposition lawmakers subsequently moved towards the treasury bench to congratulate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

When the opposition lawmakers approached the treasury bench, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left his seat and went towards them.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir first embraced Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman then came forward from his seat and embraced Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman also embraced each other during the exchange of congratulations.

Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties subsequently came forward to greet Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and congratulate him on his election as the country’s 23rd president.

The series of greetings and congratulations turned the Parliament Chamber into a festive setting after the presidential election result was announced.

Following the celebrations, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir shook hands with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, who conducted the presidential election, and also exchanged greetings with other election officials involved in the voting and counting process.

A total of 349 lawmakers were eligible to participate in the presidential election, but six Members of Parliament did not cast their votes.

Dhaka-8 MP Mirza Abbas and Chattogram-3 MP Mostafa Kamal Pasha had informed the acting Speaker in writing that they would be unable to participate in the election because of illness.

The other four lawmakers who were absent from the voting were Kishoreganj-3 MP Dr Muhammad Osman Farruk, Jamaat’s Satkhira-4 MP Gazi Nazrul Islam, independent Brahmanbaria-2 MP Rumeen Farhana and Barguna-2 MP Md Oli Ullah, who represents Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

According to the election authorities, 343 Members of Parliament cast their ballots in the presidential election, and all 343 votes were declared valid.

Voting began at 2pm and continued until 5pm. Following the conclusion of voting, the counting of ballots began at 5:02pm.

Representatives of both presidential candidates were present during the ballot-counting process.

The representatives and parliamentary officials involved in observing the count included Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu and Whip Rakibul Islam Bakul.

The ballot counting continued in the presence of representatives of both candidates before Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin formally announced the result at 5:20 pm.

With 255 votes, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir secured a clear majority over Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmad, who obtained 88 votes.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin subsequently declared Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir duly elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh.