Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sworn in as Bangladesh's 23rd President

Alamgir visited the graves of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former PM Khaleda Zia before the ceremony. He has been a close political ally of Khaleda Zia, the former BNP chief.Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as Bangladesh’s 23rd President on Friday, taking charge as the country’s head of state after defeating hi

Veteran BNP leader takes oath at Bangabhaban after winning the country’s first contested presidential election since 1991

The presidential election has reopened debate over Article 70 of the Constitution, which can cost parliamentarians their seats if they vote against their party.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was a long-time secretary-general of BNP and steered the political movement against the 15-year rule of Hasina

While usually presidents in Bangladesh have been elected through a consensus, this was the first presidential election in 35 years that saw an election with the Jamaat also putting up a candidate.

A total of 349 members of Parliament were eligible to vote in what was the first contested presidential election since Oct. 1991, when the nation became a parliamentary democracy. Every presidential election since then had been uncontested, drawing no challengers to the ruling party’s candidate.

Bangladesh's Parliament has elected Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as president after the former president's resignation