Bangladesh holds presidential election in first contested vote in 35 years
Summary
Bangladesh is holding its first presidential election with more than one candidate in 35 years. The main candidates are Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir from the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Oli Ahmad, a former army officer backed by the opposition. The election is decided by members of parliament, with the BNP having a large majority.Key Facts
- The presidential election is held on a Thursday between 08:00 and 11:00 GMT.
- 349 members of parliament are eligible to vote in this election.
- Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is the BNP candidate and has strong support with 247 lawmakers from his party.
- Oli Ahmad, a retired colonel and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, is supported by the 11-party opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami.
- The election was triggered by the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who quit halfway through his term.
- This is the first contested presidential vote since 1991; all previous elections were uncontested.
- The opposition candidate Ahmad fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence, while Jamaat opposed independence, creating a notable political contrast.
- The election is symbolically important as Bangladesh adjusts its government following political changes in 2024.
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