Fakhrul sworn in as Bangladesh’s 23rd President

Newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in at Bangabhaban on Friday evening, becoming the 23rd president of Bangladesh.

The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Durbar Hall at 7:30pm, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and more than 1,200 invited guests in attendance, according to Cabinet Division officials.

Acting Speaker Kaiser Kamal administered the oath to Fakhrul, while Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani conducted the ceremony.

The ceremony began with the president’s entry into the Durbar Hall, followed by the national anthem and recitation from the Quran. The acting speaker then administered the oath of office.

President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam said all preparations for the ceremony had been completed, while the Cabinet Division oversaw the event.

Fakhrul was elected president in the presidential election held in the Parliament chamber on Thursday. Voting took place from 2pm to 5pm, with BNP-nominated Fakhrul facing Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, the candidate of an 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami.

Fakhrul’s election followed the resignation of former President Mohammed Shahabuddin on July 24, who stepped down citing serious health issues.

His resignation created a constitutional requirement for a new president to be elected within 90 days, leading to Thursday’s presidential election and Fakhrul’s subsequent swearing-in.