Bangladesh set to elect new president today

Mirza Fakhar-ul-Salam Alamgir has been nominated by the ruling party and is considered a strong candidate in the presidential contest.

Bangladesh is set to elect a new president today, with the candidate backed by the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party emerging as a leading contender, according to local media reports.

Mirza Fakhar-ul-Salam Alamgir has been nominated by the ruling party and is considered a strong candidate in the presidential contest. Meanwhile, an alliance of 11 opposition parties has put forward Oli Ahmed as its nominee.

The election comes after former President Muhammad Shahabuddin stepped down from office last year. He had been regarded as a close ally of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power.

Bangladeshi media reports indicate that the newly elected president is expected to take the oath of office on Friday evening following the completion of the electoral process.