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The chiefs of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force have arrived at Bangabhaban to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
They entered Bangabhaban at around 6:25pm on Friday (August 21). The three service chiefs are Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Khandker Misbah-ul-Azim, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan.
Security has been tightened at Bangabhaban ahead of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s swearing-in as president. Government officials from various levels, political leaders, military and civilian officials, and other invited guests are arriving for the ceremony.
The presidential swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held at Bangabhaban at 7:30pm on Friday. Through the ceremony, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will formally assume office as the country’s new president. Under the Constitution, the president also serves as the supreme commander of the armed forces.
Earlier on Thursday, voting for the presidential election was held during a special session of the National Parliament. Voting took place from 2pm to 5pm. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected with 255 votes, while his rival, Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, the candidate backed by the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, received 88 votes. The margin between the two candidates was 167 votes.
According to the voter list prepared by the Election Commission, 349 members of parliament were eligible to vote. Of them, 343 cast their ballots. Chief Election Commissioner and Returning Officer for the presidential election A.M.M. Nasir Uddin said six MPs were unable to vote for various reasons.
