Ahead of his official swearing-in ceremony, President-elect Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir paid tribute to BNP founder and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at their graves in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Friday.

Following Jummah prayers at Zia Udyan, Mirza Fakhrul visited the Zia Mausoleum where he laid separate wreaths at both graves, recited Fateha, and joined a munajat offering prayers for their eternal peace.

The veteran politician is set to be sworn in as the 23rd President of Bangladesh later this evening during an oath-taking ceremony scheduled for 7:30 pm at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad will administer the oath of office, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, cabinet officials, and hundreds of distinguished guests expected to attend.

Mirza Fakhrul secured the presidency in Thursday's parliamentary election, defeating Col (retd) Oli Ahmad, who represented the 11-party opposition alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

Out of 343 valid votes cast, Mirza Fakhrul received 255 votes compared to 88 for Oli Ahmad.

Six of the 349 eligible lawmakers abstained from voting, including BNP lawmakers Mirza Abbas, Mostafa Kamal Pasha, and Dr. Muhammad Osman Farruk; independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana; Jamaat lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam; and Islami Andolan Bangladesh lawmaker Md Oli Ullah.

Following the tally, the Election Commission formally published an official gazette confirming Mirza Fakhrul's election to the presidency.