Voting is scheduled from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Bangladesh time. Where lawmakers will choose between Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Oli Ahmed.

Bangladesh is holding its first contested presidential election in 35 years on Thursday, August 20, with ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir widely expected to win the largely ceremonial five-year post.

Voting is scheduled from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM inside the Jatiya Sangsad chamber. A total of 349 lawmakers are eligible to vote. Alamgir faces former army officer Oli Ahmed, who has been nominated by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance. The Election Commission confirmed both nominations after scrutiny.

The numbers strongly favor Alamgir because Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s BNP holds a commanding parliamentary majority following its victory in the February general election. The BNP secured 209 seats according to unofficial results reported after the election.

The BNP formally nominated Alamgir on August 13 after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman proposed his name at a party standing committee meeting. Party leaders unanimously approved the nomination before filing his papers with the Election Commission.

The presidential election became necessary after Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on July 24, citing serious health problems, including autonomic neuropathy and other complications. Shahabuddin had served as president since April 2023 and was due to remain in office until 2028. The Speaker of Parliament has been carrying out presidential duties until a successor takes office.

Bangladesh’s presidency is largely ceremonial, with executive authority resting mainly with the prime minister and cabinet. However, the president remains the constitutional head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Thursday’s vote comes six months after the BNP returned to power in the first national election held since the 2024 uprising that removed Sheikh Hasina from office. Tarique Rahman’s party won a clear parliamentary majority, giving it a decisive advantage in the indirect presidential election.

Alamgir, 78, has been one of the BNP’s most recognizable senior leaders. He became especially prominent during the years when former BNP leader Khaleda Zia was imprisoned and Tarique Rahman remained abroad. Alamgir was repeatedly arrested and faced numerous cases during Hasina’s rule, which he maintained were politically motivated.

His political career stretches back decades. Born on January 26, 1948, he became involved in student politics while studying economics at Dhaka University and participated in the 1969 mass uprising against Pakistani military rule. He later worked as a teacher and government official before entering full-time politics.

Although Bangladesh has continued to elect presidents through parliament, most recent races were uncontested. Thursday’s contest between Alamgir and Oli Ahmed therefore marks the country’s first competitive presidential election in 35 years.

The result is expected shortly after lawmakers complete voting. Parliamentary officials have said the newly elected president is scheduled to take the oath at Bangabhaban on Friday evening.

If Alamgir wins as expected, his elevation will complete another major institutional change in Bangladesh following the 2024 uprising, the February 2026 general election and Shahabuddin’s resignation. The vote will also place a veteran BNP leader in the presidency while Tarique Rahman continues to head the government as prime minister.