Bangladesh, Aug. 20 -- BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been elected Bangladesh's 23rd president, securing 255 votes in the election.

His rival Oli Ahmed, the candidate backed by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, received 88 votes on Thursday.

Fakhrul will succeed Mohammed Shahabuddin and move into Bangabhaban after more than three decades of one-candidate presidential contests.

Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal will administer the oath to Fakhrul at Bangabhaban at 7:30pm on Friday.

Members of parliament cast their votes from 2pm to 5pm on Thursday, marking the first presidential election with multiple candidates since 1991.

The contest was required under the law because more tha...