New Delhi, Aug. 20 -- Bangladesh is set for first voted presidential poll in 35 years. Bangladesh lawmakers will elect the next president on Thursday in Parliament.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who is also the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman, declared Party stalwart Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the ruling party's presidential candidate.

The BNP, which was voted to power in the February 12 elections, currently commands a two-thirds majority in Parliament, putting Alamgir in a strong position to secure the presidency. If elected, he will become Bangladesh's 23rd president.

Islam Alamgir will face Eleven party opposition alliance candidate Colonel retired Oli Ahmed. According to the Election Commission, The voting will tak...