Dhaka, Aug 20 (V7N)- Voting is underway in Bangladesh’s 23rd presidential election, with members of parliament casting their ballots in the session hall of the National Assembly.
Voting began at 2pm on Thursday (August 20), with lawmakers from both the ruling party and opposition taking part in the election. A total of 349 MPs are eligible to vote.
Two candidates are contesting the election: BNP nominee Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Oli Ahmed, the candidate of the opposition 11-party alliance.
The election marks only the second time in 35 years that parliamentarians have participated in a contested presidential election since the parliamentary system of government was restored in 1991.
The first presidential election after the restoration of the parliamentary system was held in 1991. The following seven presidents were elected unopposed, meaning the country has not witnessed a contested presidential election for more than three decades.
Voting will continue until 5pm on Thursday. After the ballots are counted, the Election Commission will announce the election results.
The newly elected president is scheduled to take the oath of office at Bangabhaban on Friday (August 21).
END/SMA/AJ
