Bangladesh Presidential Election Begins in First Contested Race in 35 Years
· World · LiveMint, France 24
Bangladesh's presidential election commenced on Thursday at the Jatiya Sangsad parliament in Dhaka, marking the country's first contested race for the post in 35 years. A total of 349 lawmakers are eligible to cast open ballots until 5 pm local time to choose the 23rd president. The ruling BNP fielded 78-year-old Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance nominated 84-year-old LDP chairman Colonel Oli Ahmed. The Election Commission will declare the results after vote counting concludes, and the president-elect is scheduled to take oath on Friday evening at Bangabhaban.
Why it matters
This rare contested presidential vote marks a political milestone for Bangladesh following years of transition and leadership changes.
Read the original report — LiveMint
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