Bangladesh is holding its first contested presidential election in 35 years on Thursday, with lawmakers choosing between ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) stalwart Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, the candidate of an 11-party opposition alliance.

Voting is scheduled from 2 pm to 5 pm local time at Parliament, according to the Election Commission, marking a significant departure from the country's recent presidential elections, which were decided without a contest.

Two Candidates In Race

The Election Commission declared the nomination papers of both candidates valid on August 16.

Alamgir, 78, is contesting as the BNP candidate, while Ahmed, Bir Bikram, the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party, represents the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance.

The election follows the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin last month. Shahabuddin, who was associated with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, stepped down on health grounds before completing his five-year term.

Parliamentary Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad is currently serving as acting president.

BNP Starts With Advantage

The ruling BNP candidate enters the election with a significant numerical advantage in Parliament.

According to the figures cited in the source material, the BNP has 247 lawmakers, while the opposition alliance has 90. A total of 349 lawmakers are expected to participate in the vote, with the remaining members belonging to other parties or sitting as independents.

Bangladesh's Constitution also requires MPs to follow their party line under Article 70. Combined with the open voting system, this gives Alamgir a substantial advantage.

The final outcome, however, will be determined by the votes cast in Parliament.

Voting Rules Explained

Each lawmaker, including the Speaker, has one vote in the presidential election.

The voting process is being conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission, with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin serving as the returning officer.

Nasir Uddin said preparations had been made to ensure the historic election proceeds smoothly.

If both candidates receive the same number of votes, the election rules provide for the winner to be selected through a lottery, according to the information provided in the source material.

First Contest Since 1991

Bangladesh's parliamentary presidential election system dates back to 1991, when the country returned to a parliamentary form of government.

Since then, eight presidents were elected between 1996 and 2023, but each was chosen unopposed. That makes Thursday's vote the first presidential contest involving two candidates in more than three decades.

The result is expected to be announced later in the day, with the official gazette also scheduled for publication on the same day.

Presidency Has Changed

Bangladesh's presidency has undergone several changes since independence.

The country formed its first government on April 10, 1971, with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman named founding president. As he remained detained in Pakistan at the time, Syed Nazrul Islam served as acting president.

The original 1972 Constitution provided for Parliament to elect the President. The Fourth Amendment later shifted Bangladesh towards a presidential system, under which the President was directly elected by citizens.

Direct presidential elections were subsequently held in 1978, 1981 and 1986 before Bangladesh returned to a parliamentary system.

What Happens Next

The presidential result will determine who succeeds Shahabuddin and assumes the constitutional position at a politically significant moment for Bangladesh.

While the BNP candidate has a clear numerical advantage because of the ruling party's parliamentary strength, the election is significant regardless of the outcome because it restores a contested presidential vote after 35 years.

The day's proceedings will be closely watched as Bangladesh presidential election results emerge and the country moves towards formalising its next head of state.