Bangladesh yesterday saw its first contested presidential election since 1991, with the Jatiya Sangsad electing ruling party candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the country’s next head of state.

Fakhrul bagged 255 votes, while his lone rival, Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, the nominee of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, polled 88.

Members of Parliament gathered in the chamber not to debate legislation or the budget, but to perform a constitutional duty -- elect the head of state in an indirect election.

The office of the president would have commanded greater respect had lawmakers been able to vote freely without the constraints of article 70 of the constitution.

Nahid Islam, opposition chief whip

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, who served as the election officer, declared Fakhrul, a BNP leader for more than three decades, Bangladesh’s president-elect around 5:20pm.

Meanwhile, six of the 349 MPs did not cast their votes. They are BNP’s Mirza Abbas, Osman Faruk and Mostafa Kamal Pasha; expelled Jamaat MP Gazi Nazrul Islam; Abul Hasan of Khelafat Majlish; and independent MP Rumeen Farhana.

The BNP said its three MPs were abroad and had received prior permission to abstain. According to the opposition, Abul Hasan also did not vote as he was abroad.

Although Islami Andolon had earlier announced a boycott, its lone MP Oli Ullah was seen casting his vote at 2:20pm after exchanging greetings with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Fakhrul.

Speaking to The Daily Star about why she did not vote, Brahmanbaria-1 MP Rumeen said, “The presidential election seemed meaningless to me. If there is no uncertainty over the outcome, it cannot be called an election. Everyone already knew what the result will be. So, why should I call it a vote? This is a nomination, not an election.”

Following the announcement of the result, Tarique, who sits next to Fakhrul in parliament, stood up to congratulate the new president and presented him with a rose.

Lawmakers thumped their desks in unison to greet the new head of state and gave him a standing ovation.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches also congratulated Fakhrul.

THE VOTE

Although the stipulated time for the election was 2:00pm, MPs began arriving in the chamber at around 1:00pm.

At 1:55pm, the opposition leader arrived, followed by the leader of the House and Fakhrul.

The proceedings formally began as the clock struck 2:00pm, with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an. Officials assisting the election officer showed MPs the three empty ballot boxes placed in the middle of the well of the House.

The CEC then announced the names of the candidates and briefed the MPs on the voting procedure.

Afterwards, acting president and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and acting speaker Kayser Kamal entered the chamber. They exchanged greetings with the prime minister and ruling party MPs before taking their seats.

Ballot papers were then distributed among the MPs.

Hafiz cast the first vote, followed by Kayser, Tarique and Fakhrul. Hafiz and Kayser left the House immediately afterwards.

After casting his vote as a candidate, Fakhrul went to the opposition benches and shook hands with those seated in the front row.

At about 2:20pm, the opposition leader cast his ballot, followed by opposition MPs.

Voting was scheduled to continue until 5:00pm, but most members had cast their ballots by 3:00pm. The last ballot was cast at 4:15pm by ruling party whip Ashraf Uddin Nizan, who had been present throughout the session.

MPs from both sides were seen exchanging greetings and taking photographs together.

Journalists observed the proceedings from two designated galleries, while all other galleries, including five general and two VIP sections, remained closed to spectators.

Within hours of the result, the Election Commission issued a gazette declaring Mirza Fakhrul president. Earlier, the Cabinet Division had confirmed that his oath-taking ceremony would be held at 7:30pm today at the Bangabhaban, the office and residence of the head of state.

ARTICLE 70 DEBATE

Speaking to reporters at the parliament complex before the poll, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, also convener of the National Citizen Party, said the office of the president would have commanded greater respect had lawmakers been able to vote freely without the constraints of article 70 of the constitution.

Noting that article 70 bars an MP from voting against their party line, he added, “We could have moved towards a balance of power between the president and the prime minister. But that is not happening.”

Asked about the matter, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said opposition members had yet to join the parliamentary committee on constitutional amendments.

“In future, when amendments to the constitution are made, changes will also be made to article 70, based on the political agreement reached in the July charter.”

He said if article 70 were amended as agreed in the July National Charter, any subsequent presidential election would be held under the amended provision.

“But the constitution has not been amended yet. So, this vote will be held according to the existing provisions and what is now written in the constitution.”

GREETINGS POUR IN

Following the results, acting president Hafiz congratulated president-elect President Mirza Fakhrul, according to a Bangabhaban press release.

Rival Oli Ahmed also extended his felicitations.

In a statement issued by the 11-party alliance, he said, “I hope that, as the guardian of the state and the constitution, the president-elect will be able to perform his duties with firmness and skill to protect independence, democracy and justice.”

Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, former chief adviser to the interim government, also extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Fakhrul.

In statement issued by the Yunus Centre, he said, “His organisational skills, wisdom, leadership during times of crisis, and extensive experience working closely with people at the grassroots level have established him as a distinctive figure in the country’s national politics.”

Meanwhile, opposition leader Shafiqur wrote on his official Facebook page that he hoped Fakhrul would, as the guardian of the state, use his utmost competence and wisdom in the days ahead to establish justice, uphold democracy, and protect the country’s independence and sovereignty.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader and Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim also congratulated the president-elect.

Among others, Gono Forum Emeritus President Dr Kamal Hossain and Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kazal also extended felicitations.

The Chinese, French and Swiss embassies and the UK High Commission congratulated Fakhrul in separate statements.

The Chinese Embassy said China attached great importance to its relations with Bangladesh and stood ready to work closely with the Bangladeshi side to jointly build a Bangladesh-China community with a shared future in the new era, to deliver greater benefits to the two countries and their peoples.

“As a longstanding partner, we look forward to further strengthening bilateral relations between Switzerland and Bangladesh,” said the Swiss Embassy in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, the UK High Commission said, “The UK looks forward to working with Honourable President Fakhrul and the Government of Bangladesh to further strengthen the close and longstanding partnership between our two countries.”

The French Embassy said it recognised his longstanding contribution to Bangladesh’s democratic journey as a veteran politician.