United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday cast his vote in the presidential election alongside BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, drawing applause from ruling party lawmakers. At around 2:10pm, the Prime Minister rose from his seat and walked to the ballot box with Fakhrul who was sitting beside him. At 2:11pm, Tarique collected his ballot paper and cast his vote, prompting BNP lawmakers to thump their desks in applause. Moments later, Fakhrul cast his ballot, with members of the ruling party again welcoming the moment by thumping their desks. The BNP presidential candidate then shook hands with lawmakers present in the House. He later exchanged greetings with Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. Voting in the election to choose Bangladesh’s 23rd President began at 2:10 pm in the Parliament Session Chamber under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner and Returning Officer AMM Nasir Uddin. Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal were the first to cast their votes. After voting, they exchanged greetings with the Leader of the Opposition and other lawmakers. Acting President Hafiz Uddin also shook hands with Prime Minister Tarique and presidential candidate Fakhrul before leaving the chamber after around eight minutes. At 2:12pm, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman cast his vote along with his fellow lawmakers. The voting began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Before the process started, Chief Election Commissioner Nasir briefed the lawmakers on the voting procedure. Two candidates are contesting the presidential election — BNP nominee Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and retired Colonel Oli Ahmed, the candidate of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance. A total of 349 Members of Parliament are eligible to vote. The last presidential election involving voting in Parliament was held on October 8, 1991. The presidential election was called following the resignation of former President Md Shahabuddin on July 24. Under the Constitution, a new President must be elected within 90 days of the office falling vacant. The Election Commission announced the election schedule on August 6, and the vote is being held after completion of all required procedures.