The newly elected 23rd President of Bangladesh will take oath at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7:30PM on Friday (August 21), following today’s presidential election.

Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Nurul Islam Moni disclosed the schedule. He announced the timing while speaking to journalists after a meeting of ruling-party lawmakers at the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat on Wednesday (August 19).

The presidential election is being contested by BNP-nominated candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, who is backed by an 11-party alliance.

The election marks the country’s first contested presidential race in 35 years, with more than one candidate vying for the post since 1991. Presidential elections in Bangladesh had been held without contest several times in the intervening years.

The election process is set to add a new chapter to the country’s constitutional continuity.