Maulana Mahmudul Hasan, principal of Jatrabari Madrasa and former khatib of Gulshan Azad Mosque has been elected as the new chairman of Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasa Education Board (Befaq).

Mahmudul Hasan, known as a pro-government Islamic scholar, got 63 votes while his opponent Nur Hossain Kasemi, a top leader of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, got 55 votes.

Members of Majlish e Amela (executive committee) and Majlish e Surah participated in the election.

The election was held at the head office of Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasa Education Board at Kajla, Jatrabari, sources at the Befaq said.

Nur Hossain Kasemi is the general secretary of Jomiat-e Ulamaye Islam, a component in the BNP-led 20-party alliance and convener of Hefajat-e Islam, Dhaka.

Kasemi is also principal of Jameya Madania Baridhara Madrasah.

Sources at Befaq and several leaders of Hefajat said government played a role so that Mahmudul Hasan can be elected as the chairman of Befaq.

The post of chairman of Befaq fell vacant following the demise of Shah Ahmad Shafi, the supreme leader of Hefajat-e Islam on September 18.

His demise came a day after he resigned as the director general of Al Jameyatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Madrasa, popularly known as Hathazari madrasa, following two days of unrest.