Dhaka: Veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as the 23rd President of Bangladesh on Friday evening. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7:30pm, with Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal administering the oath of office at 7:37pm.

According to United News of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, cabinet members, and hundreds of distinguished guests attended the event conducted by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani. The ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by a recitation from the Holy Quran. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, sat in the front row of the Darbar Hall. Former interim government Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Shafiqur Rahman were also in attendance.

Mirza Fakhrul’s family, including his spouse Rahat Ara Begum, daughters Mirza Shamaruh and Mirza Safaruh with their spouses, and brothers Mirza Faisal Amin and Mirza Ruhul Amin, were present at the ceremony. Fakhrul was elected President by defeating his sole rival Col (retd) Oli Ahmad, the candidate of the 11-party opposition alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, in the presidential election held on Thursday.

Out of 343 valid votes, Mirza Fakhrul secured 255, while Oli Ahmad received 88. Among the 349 voters, six lawmakers did not participate in the presidential election. The non-participating voters included BNP lawmakers Mirza Abbas, Mostafa Kamal Pasha, Dr. Muhammad Osman Farruk, independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana, and Jamaat lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam. The Election Commission later issued a gazette notification declaring Mirza Fakhrul elected as the President of Bangladesh.