EC publishes gazette declaring Fakhrul as President

The Election Commission (EC) has formally issued a gazette notification declaring Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the 23rd President of Bangladesh following his victory in Thursday’s parliamentary vote.

The gazette, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, confirmed that Mirza Fakhrul was elected under Section 11 of the Presidential Election Act, 1991, and Rule 12(6) of the Presidential Election Rules, 1991.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A. M. M. Nasir Uddin announced the final results at around 5:20 pm inside the Jatiya Sangsad chamber after vote counting concluded. Out of 343 valid ballots cast, BNP-nominated candidate Mirza Fakhrul secured 255 votes, while his opponent, retired Colonel Oli Ahmed of the 11-party alliance, received 88 votes.

Voting commenced in the parliamentary chamber at 2:00 pm. Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman were among the first lawmakers to cast their secret ballots before members of parliament exercised their franchise through 5:00 pm.

The vote marks Bangladesh’s first contested presidential election conducted via direct parliamentary ballot in 35 years.