Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Allama Mamunul Hossain congratulated veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as president and said he expects the new head of state to act above partisan politics. In a statement sent to the media on Thursday, Mamunul said Fakhrul should protect public rights, justice and balance within the state.

Mamunul said the long anti-fascist movement had created expectations not merely for a change of individuals or government, but for fundamental change in the structure of power. He expressed disappointment that constitutional reform had not yet taken place and that the presidential election was held while older arrangements, including the disputed Article 70, remained in force.

He said the July Charter includes proposals for a secret-ballot presidential election by members of a bicameral parliament, a balance of power in key state appointments, consideration of victims' or families' views in pardon applications, and checks and balances between presidential and prime ministerial powers. Mamunul nevertheless said he remained hopeful about Fakhrul and wished him good health and success.