Staff Reporter:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday congratulated newly elected president Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir with a red rose after he was declared the 23rd president of Bangladesh.
Immediately after Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin declared Mirza Fakhrul elected in the presidential election held at the Jatiya Sangsad chamber this afternoon, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman shook hands with him and presented him with a red rose.
Lawmakers congratulated the new president by thumping their desks, while Fakhrul greeted them by raising his hand.
As opposition lawmakers, including Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman and Deputy Leader Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher, approached the treasury bench, Fakhrul came forward and embraced Shafiqur Rahman.
Later, the prime minister embraced the new president and exchanged greetings with lawmakers from both treasury and opposition benches. He also embraced Shafiqur Rahman.
The new president subsequently shook hands with the CEC and greeted other election officials, creating a festive atmosphere in the chamber.
Voting in the presidential election was held from 2pm to 5pm, followed by vote counting at 5:02pm.
Agents of the two candidates, Chief Whip Nurul Islam, Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam and whips Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu and Rakibul Islam Bakul were present during the counting.
