Mirza Fakhrul gets 11 more votes than BNP's own tally

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP's candidate, has been elected the 23rd President of Bangladesh, securing 255 of 343 votes cast in a contested presidential election held after 35 years. His rival, Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, candidate of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, received 88 votes.

Mirza Fakhrul received 11 votes beyond those of BNP's 244 elected members of parliament, including three from alliance partners, seven from independent lawmakers and one from a lawmaker elected on the "Hatpakha" symbol.

Voting took place in the National Parliament session chamber from 2pm to 5pm, with 343 out of a total of 349 voters casting their votes, all of which were declared valid on Thursday.

This is the first presidential election held with multiple candidates since 1991. Mirza Fakhrul is scheduled to take the oath of office at Bangabhaban at 7:30pm on Friday, upon which his membership of parliament and ministerial responsibilities will come to an end.