United News of Bangladesh

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar. The newly elected president arrived at the memorial at 10am and laid a floral wreath at the altar in honour of the martyrs. He then stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect. During the ceremony, a smartly turned-out contingent of the three armed forces presented a state salute, while a bugle played the Last Post.

Veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as the 23rd President of Bangladesh on Friday evening. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7:30pm. Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal administered the oath of office to the President at 7:37pm. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, cabinet members, and hundreds of distinguished guests attended the event conducted by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani. The ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by recitation from the Holy Quran. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, sat in the front row of the Darbar Hall. Former interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Shafiqur Rahman attended the event.   Besides, Mirza Fakhrul’s spouse Rahat Ara Begum, his two daughters Mirza Shamaruh and Mirza Safaruh accompanied by their spouses, as well as his two brothers Mirza Faisal Amin and Mirza Ruhul Amin were present. BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul was elected the President defeating his lone rival Col (retd) Oli Ahmad, the candidate of the 11-party opposition alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, in the presidential election held on Thursday. Out of all 343 valid votes, Mirza Fakhrul secured 255, while Oli Ahmad got 88. Among the 349 voters, six lawmakers did not vote in the presidential election. The six voters who did not turn up include BNP lawmakers Mirza Abbas, Mostafa Kamal Pasha and Dr Muhammad Osman Farruk, independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana and Jamaat lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam. The Election Commission (EC) later issued a gazette notification declaring Mirza Fakhrul elected as the President of Bangladesh.

Newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday visited the graves of BNP founder and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia before heading to Bangabhaban for his swearing-in. After offering Jummah prayers at the Staff Quarters Jame Mosque on Bailey Road, Fakhrul went directly to the graves of Zia and Khaleda at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, arriving at 1:46pm. He placed two floral wreaths at the graves, stood silently for some time, offered Fateha and joined a munajat there. During his long political career, Fakhrul had visited the graves many times as BNP secretary general, accompanied by party leaders, activists and supporters. BNP MP Quamruzzaman Ratan and newly elected President’s Assistant Private Secretary Yunus Ali were present during the visit. Party leaders, activists and supporters gathered outside the security cordon and greeted Fakhrul by waving at him. Fakhrul was elected the country’s President through a parliamentary vote on Thursday. Meanwhile, the veteran politician will be sworn in as Bangladesh’s 23rd President in the evening. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7:30pm. Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal will administer the oath of office of the President, according to Bangabhaban. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, cabinet members, and hundreds of distinguished guests are expected to attend the event.

Veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will be sworn in as the 23rd President of Bangladesh this evening. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7:30pm. Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal will administer the oath of the office of the President, according to Bangabhaban. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, cabinet members, and hundreds of distinguished guests are expected to attend the event. BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul was elected the President defeating his lone rival Col (retd) Oli Ahmad, the candidate of the 11-party opposition alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, in the presidential election held on Thursday. Out of all 343 valid votes, Mirza Fakhrul secured 255, while Oli Ahmad got 88. Among the 349 voters, six lawmakers did not vote in the presidential election. The six voters who did not turn up include BNP lawmakers Mirza Abbas, Mostafa Kamal Pasha and Dr Muhammad Osman Farruk, independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana and Jamaat lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam. The Election Commission (EC) later issued a gazette notification declaring Mirza Fakhrul elected as the President of Bangladesh.

Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as the 23rd President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. In a message of congratulations, he said, “Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's political journey spans more than five decades and is closely intertwined with the political history of Bangladesh. 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." The chief adviser of the immediate-past interim government spoke of his admiration for the BNP stalwart, saying: "I believe that, as an academic, a seasoned politician, and man of principle, he will, through his assumption of this new responsibility, further uphold the dignity of the highest constitutional office of the state. "I look forward to Bangladesh advancing towards greater prosperity, justice, and democracy under the leadership of President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. I wish His Excellency good health, a long life, and every success in the discharge of his responsibilities.”

BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has unofficially been elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh. Mirza Fakhrul defeated his lone rival Col (retd) Oli Ahmad, the contender from the 11-party opposition alliance, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, by a huge margin in the presidential election held in the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday. He obtained 255 votes, while Oli Ahmad polled 88. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, also Returning Officer of the election, announced the polls results after the balloting ended at 5:00pm. “Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has secured 255 votes. I declare that, having received the highest number of votes, he has been duly elected President,” Nasir Uddin announced. The Election Commission (EC) later issued a gazette notification declaring Mirza Fakhrul Islam as the President of Bangladesh. Out of all 343 valid votes, Mirza Fakhrul secured 255, while Oli Ahmad got 88, he said. Among the 349 voters, six lawmakers did not vote in the presidential election. The six voters who did not turn up are BNP lawmakers Mirza Abbas, Mostafa Kamal Pasha and Dr Muhammad Osman Farruk, independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana, Jamaat lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam and Islami Andolan Bangladesh lawmaker Md Oli Ullah. Soon after the announcement of the results, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman congratulated Mirza Fakhrul with a red rose. Immediately after the declaration, he rose from his seat, shook hands with the newly elected President and presented him with the red rose. Lawmakers across the Parliament Chamber congratulated Fakhrul by thumping their desks. The newly elected President then raised his hand and greeted the lawmakers, who continued applauding him by thumping their desks. Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher and other opposition lawmakers then came towards the treasury bench. Fakhrul left his seat and first embraced Shafiqur Rahman after opposition MPs came towards the treasury bench. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman then came forward from his seat and embraced Fakhrul. Tarique and Shafiqur Rahman also embraced each other. Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties subsequently exchanged greetings with the newly elected President. The atmosphere in the Parliament Chamber turned celebratory following the announcement of the results. Fakhrul later shook hands with CEC Nasir Uddin, who conducted the presidential election, and greeted other election officials. The Election Commission will now publish the election results in an official gazette by today. On the other hand, Bangabhaban is making preparations to arrange the oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected President on Friday evening. Earlier, voting was held from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, with Members of Parliament (MPs) casting their votes through an open ballot to elect the country’s 23rd President. At the beginning of the balloting, acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal cast their votes at 2:10pm, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Mirza Fakhrul cast theirs at 2:11pm. Just before the balloting, CEC Nasir Uddin announced the names of the two candidates and explained the voting procedure for MPs. Since the Chattogram-4 parliamentary seat remains vacant, the number of voters was 349. The voters include 247 BNP lawmakers, 77 Jamaat MPs, eight NCP lawmakers, eight independent MPs, three Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis MPs, and one each from Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganosamhati Andolon, Khilafat Majlis, Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party. BJP, Gono Odhikar Parishad and Ganosamhati Andolon are allies of the ruling BNP. The ruling camp has 250 lawmakers. On the other hand, Jamaat, NCP, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Khilafat Majlis and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party are components of the 11-party opposition alliance. The opposition camp has 90 lawmakers in Parliament. The last contested presidential election was held on October 8, 1991, when BNP candidate Abdur Rahman Biswas defeated Awami League candidate Badrul Haider Chowdhury to become the country’s 11th President.  Abdur Rahman Biswas secured 172 votes, while Badrul Haider Chowdhury received 92. Since then, no voting was required in the successive presidential elections as a single candidate was elected uncontested in each election. On July 24 last, Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned as President and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad took charge as the acting President. According to Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacant office of the President must be held within 90 days of the post becoming vacant due to resignation.

Bangabhaban on Thursday bade a grand farewell to Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram through a state ceremony. A smartly turned-out contingent of President Guard Regiment (PGR) of the army extended him a guard of honour while a band group comprising military, navy, and air force played the farewell tune at 11.30 am. Another group of the horse-mounted troops of Bangladesh Police escorted him forward as part of the farewell ceremony. The acting president signed the Bangbhaban visitors’ book and exchanged greetings with Bangabhaban officials and employees. On July 25, Speaker of Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram assumed the responsibilities of the acting President in accordance with the Constitution following the resignation of former president Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Nomination papers must be submitted between 10am and 4pm on Thursday to run in the presidential election slated for August 20 next. The ruling BNP has formally not declared its presidential candidate yet, while the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance has named LDP Chairman Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed as its candidate. However, both the ruling and opposition camps have collected nomination papers for their respective aspirants. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, who is serving as the returning officer of the presidential election, has already convened a meeting of the Members of Parliament (MPs) at the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on August 20 for voting in the presidential election in line with the Presidential Election Act, 1991. According to the election schedule announced by the Election Commission on August 06 last, the nomination papers will be scrutinized on August 16 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is August 18.   Voting will take place from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on August 20 in the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad. A total of 349 MPs are voters in the presidential election. Now a parliamentary seat, Chattogram-4 constituency, remains vacant. This will be the first presidential election in 35 years, which is going to involve more than one candidate. So, the voting is set to be held in the Presidential election after 1991. The name of Local Government and Rural Development Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has already surfaced in the media as the BNP’s probable presidential candidate, but people are likely to wait till Thursday to formally know its candidate. On July 24 last, Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned as President and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad took charge as the acting president. According to Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacant office of the President must be held within 90 days of the post becoming vacant due to resignation.

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram on Friday said the Liberation War of 1971 was a people’s war, not a war of any particular political party, and urged all to play a responsible role in realising the ideals of democracy, human dignity, equality and social justice. “The Liberation War was a people’s war. We have to build a democratic Bangladesh based on the ideals of the Liberation War,” he said. The Acting President made the remarks as the chief guest at the 54th Commissioning and Fellowship Day celebration of the Bangladesh Liberation War Courses, organised by the Bangladesh Liberation War Courses Foundation at the Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka Cantonment . Stressing the need to establish a democratic system in the country so that no autocrat can emerge in the future, Hafiz Uddin said, “We want to see a happy, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh. There should be no autocrat in this country again.” He said the people would change governments through elections and, if a government makes mistakes, those mistakes should be corrected through people and democratic institutions. “But under no circumstances should anyone destroy the democratic system,” he said. The Acting President also called upon politicians to learn from the country’s past. “Our politicians also have a lot to learn. If a section of the politicians had fought in 1971, risking their lives, there would have been no one-party rule in this country. Democracy would have been given its due dignity,” he said. Highlighting the spirit of the Liberation War and the responsibility of the present generation, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the people of Bangladesh risked their lives for independence in 1971 and the responsibility of realising that dream now rests with the next generation. “We responded to the call of the country and fulfilled our responsibility in 1971. Now the responsibility lies with the next generation. It is our expectation that the present generation will fulfil the dream we had,” he said. The Acting President expressed hope that Bangladesh has once again regained its strength and is moving towards democracy. “I hope our nation has risen again. Democracy has been established again. In the coming days, we hope that the next generation will certainly fulfil the dream for which we fought,” he said. He said many of those who came to power after independence did not want to present the true picture of the Liberation War before  people. “As a result, many events, sacrifices and acts of heroism of the Liberation War have not yet received their rightful place in history. They remain unknown to many ordinary people. This history must be properly documented and presented before people,” he said. The Acting President said attempts had been made after independence to establish the notion that the country had become independent merely through a few speeches. “In reality, countless young people, sons and daughters of ordinary families, soldiers and others sacrificed their lives to liberate the country,” he said. He said the Great Liberation War was a struggle to establish democracy, human dignity, equal rights and a state free from discrimination. “The new generation must know how the country became independent and what the dreams of the freedom fighters were. They should work to fulfil those dreams and build a happy, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh,” he said. Recalling various events during the Liberation War, Hafiz Uddin said the greatest strength of the freedom fighters was their sacrifice and patriotism. He said many young people who were unable to join the war because of physical limitations would break down in tears and plead for an opportunity to fight for the country. “They would even lie down in front of vehicles, asking to be allowed to participate in the war,” he said. He described such incidents as unique and glorious chapters in the history of the Liberation War. The Acting President said the then Pakistani ruling authorities had shown no respect for the people’s votes. “In the 1970 election, the people of this country voted in favour of regional autonomy based on the Six-Point demand, but that popular mandate was ignored,” he said. Later, he said, the Pakistani military launched genocide and brutal repression against unarmed people. “In such a situation, when there was no effective opportunity from the political leadership to reassure or provide direction to people, the Bengali soldiers and officers of the East Bengal Regiment and the EPR declared a revolt and began armed resistance,” he said. Hafiz Uddin said if the members of the East Bengal Regiment and the EPR had not revolted against the Pakistani forces in March 1971, the history of Bangladesh’s War of Independence could have been different. He said battalions of the East Bengal Regiment in different cantonments built resistance, while thousands of students and young people joined the Liberation War under the leadership of a limited number of soldiers. He said around 80,000 young people responded to the call of nearly 5,000 soldiers and joined the Liberation War, while the number of freedom fighters eventually reached around one lakh. “These freedom fighters were trained and prepared for the war by soldiers and officers of the East Bengal Regiment and the EPR,” he said, stressing the need to properly document these aspects of history. The Acting President also recalled the contribution and strong leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, saying that the declaration of independence by Major Ziaur Rahman inspired the nation. He also made the declaration on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said. Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said the freedom fighters had not fought to gain personal credit or recognition. “They took up arms to protect the existence of the country, the lives of its people and the honour of our mothers and sisters,” he said. He said the Pakistani ruling authorities had believed that Bengalis would not be able to fight. “But in 1971, Bengali soldiers and freedom fighters proved that notion wrong through their courage, skill and sacrifice,” he said. Recalling his wartime experience, the Acting President said that, on the orders of the Chief of Army Staff, he recruited young people from various youth camps to form a new battalion. “Thousands of school and college students were waiting at camps along the border to fight for the country. Despite harsh living conditions, limited food and an uncertain future, they were eager to go to the battlefield and sacrifice their lives for the country,” he said. He recalled in detail the contributions and sacrifices of the fearless military and civilian people of Bangladesh during the Liberation War. Hafiz Uddin said that after independence, while undergoing military training abroad, he would recount to foreign military instructors the bravery of the freedom fighters in battles including the Kamalpur battle. “The foreign military instructors would be astonished. They would say that such an attack was not possible even for a professional force; only those who were prepared to sacrifice their lives for their country could demonstrate such extraordinary courage,” he said. Noting that the dreams of the freedom fighters had not been fully realised even five decades after independence, he said the mass uprising staged by the people of Bangladesh in August 2024 was also an expression of their aspiration for democracy. He also stressed the need for politicians to engage in self-criticism. In his speech, the Acting President paid deep respect to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, saying that the four-time prime minister had been detained by the Pakistani forces during the Liberation War. “During the Liberation War, the Pakistani forces searched extensively for Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka and arrested her from the house of a relative,” he said. He also remembered his late wife Dilara Hafiz. Describing how the Bangladesh Army was formed after independence, he said the Bangladesh Army was small in 1972. “But its greatest strength was the indomitable spirit of sacrificing one’s life for the country,” he said. He expressed hope that the present and future generations would uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and build an egalitarian, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh. Major A Matin Chowdhury delivered the welcome address at the programme. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khandaker Misbah ul Azim also spoke at the programme. Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan addressed the event as the special guest.  

President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram on Wednesday urged the nation to uphold the spirit of the July Mass Uprising, saying it should remain a guiding force in fulfilling the people's aspirations. "We must not lose July. We must carry the spirit of July in our hearts and transform the hopes and expectations of the people into reality. Let this be our pledge today," he said. The President made the remarks while addressing, as chief guest, an award-giving ceremony and discussion organised by the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat marking July Mass Uprising Day 2026. He also distributed prizes among the winners of essay and painting competitions. Acting Speaker Barrister Kaysar Kamal chaired the programme. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Chief Whip of Parliament Md Nurul Islam, Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman and Opposition Chief Whip Md Nahid Islam addressed the event as special guests, while Jatiya Sangsad Secretary Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan delivered the welcome speech. The President said the end of what he described as authoritarian rule came after 16 years of relentless struggle and sacrifice by countless people, including political activists who risked their lives in pro-democracy movements. He described the development as "a glorious chapter" in the nation's history that Bangladeshis would remember with pride for generations. Referring to an earlier programme he attended during the day, the President recounted meeting a young man who lost his eyesight during the July Mass Uprising. "I witnessed a heartbreaking scene where a mother led her blind son onto the stage. He lost both of his eyes during the July movement," he said, adding that ensuring justice for those who lost their lives or suffered permanent injuries during the uprising remains one of the foremost responsibilities of Parliament and the current government. He stressed that such responsibility is not short-term but a long-term national commitment. Acting Speaker Barrister Kaysar Kamal said August 5 had earned a place in the country's history alongside March 26 and December 16 as a day of pride and victory. He said while the victories of March 26 and December 16 were achieved against foreign occupation forces, the events of August 5 represented the defeat of what he termed "domestic fascist forces." The Acting Speaker also emphasised the need to foster patience, tolerance and a mature political culture to ensure the country does not deviate from the path of democracy in the future. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said meaningful reform must begin with a transformation of people's mindset, arguing that changes in laws or institutions alone would not be sufficient to build the desired state. He said democratic reform and reconstruction of the state structure should begin with the Constitution, the country's supreme law. Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam said the student-led mass uprising of August 5, 2024, was the outcome of the united struggle of the people and created an opportunity to revive democracy in Bangladesh. He paid tribute to those killed during the July movement and alleged that the previous government had siphoned off large sums of money abroad, curtailed freedom of speech and fundamental rights, and established a climate of fear through enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention and repression. He also expressed gratitude for what he described as the responsible and effective role played by the armed forces during the transition. Members of Parliament, whips, secretaries of different ministries and officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat, among others, attended the programme.