BNP's Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir elected as Bangladesh's new President
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has been elected as the new President of Bangladesh. This marks the first contested presidential election in the country since 1991.
Why it matters
The election represents a significant shift in Bangladesh's political landscape following the resignation of the previous president and the ousting of the former prime minister.
Ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was on Thursday (August 20, 2026) elected as the country's new President in the first contested poll for the post in 35 years.
The 78-year-old BNP stalwart defeated his rival Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, the Liberal Democratic Party chairman and the nominee of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance, Chief Election Commissioner and also Election Returning Officer AMM Nasir Uddin said.
Mr. Alamgir secured 255 votes while Oli Ahmad bagged 88 votes, he said.
Of the total 349 registered voters, 343 voted in the election. Six lawmakers didn't vote, he added.
The President-elect will take the oath as Bangladesh's new President on Friday (August 21, 2026) evening at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.
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