Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, one of the veteran leaders of BNP, has been sworn in as the 23rd President of Bangladesh, marking a significant transition in the country’s political and constitutional landscape.
The 78-year-old politician took the oath on August 21 at the historic Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban. Acting Speaker of the JatiyaSangsad. Kaiser Kamal, administered the oath. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, and Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, senior political leaders, ministers, members of parliament, judges, diplomats, military chiefs, senior civil servants, journalists and other distinguished guests attended the ceremony. However, immediate past President Muhammad SahabuddinChuppu was not invited to the ceremony. Speaking to Dainik Amar Desh, he expressed his disappointment and he felt embarrassed by the omission.
Mirza Fakhrul’s assumption of the presidency follows the resignation of Md Shahabuddin on July 24, 2026, after which Hafiz Uddin Ahmed served as Acting President for nearly a month.
Mirza Fakhrul was elected President through a direct vote in Parliament on August 20. The BNP nominated Mirza Fakhrul as its candidate, while BJI-led 11-party alliance nominated veteran politician Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram.
Of the 349 votes cast, Mirza Fakhrul secured 255 votes, while Oli Ahmed received 88 votes. The remaining votes were not reflected in the two candidates’ totals.