Sangsad Bhaban, Aug. 20 -- Vote counting in the presidential election has started as the balloting ended at 5:00pm, with members of Parliament (MPs) casting their votes through an open ballot to elect the country's 23rd President.

Voting was held from 2:10pm to 5:00pm in the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad.

BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and opposition Jamaat-led 11-party alliance contender Col (retd) Oli Ahmad are contesting the election.

At the beginning of the balloting, Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal cast their votes at 2:10 pm, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at 2:11pm.

Just before the balloting, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AM...