Staff Correspondent 
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is set to take the oath of office today as Bangladesh’s 23rd President. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at 7:30pm on Friday (August 21) at the historic Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban in a solemn and formal atmosphere.
Acting Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, will administer the oath to the newly elected President.
The outgoing President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Chief Justice, former presidents, cabinet members, diplomats stationed in Bangladesh, senior government officials and other distinguished guests are expected to attend the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has requested motorists to follow traffic restrictions around Bangabhaban from 3pm to 9pm on Friday due to the oath-taking ceremony. However, the restrictions will not apply to invited guests travelling to Bangabhaban.
Mirza Fakhrul, the BNP candidate, was elected President on Thursday after securing 255 votes out of 343 votes cast. His rival, Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram, the candidate of the 11-party alliance, received 88 votes.
Voting for the presidential election was held in the Jatiya Sangsad session hall from 2pm to 5pm on Thursday. Following the vote count, Chief Election Commissioner and Chief Electoral Officer A.M.M. Nasir Uddin officially declared Mirza Fakhrul the winner.
According to the announced results, 343 votes were cast out of a total of 349. Mirza Fakhrul secured 255 votes, while Oli Ahmed, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), received 88 votes.
Under the Constitution of Bangladesh, the President holds the country’s highest constitutional office and ranks above all other state officials. All formal executive actions of the state are carried out in the President’s name.
Former President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on July 24 citing personal health reasons. Under the constitutional arrangement, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed assumed the responsibilities of Acting President until a new President takes office, while Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal took over as Acting Speaker.
