Members of the City Council picked Shahin Khalique to serve as the president of the governing body for the next year.

Khalique was selected president in a 6-3 vote during the City Council’s reorganization meeting on Friday.

Councilman Al Abdelaziz nominated Khalique for president. Council members Abdelaziz, Maritza Davila, Alex Mendez, Forid Uddin, and Luis Velez voted for Khalique. Khalique also voted for himself.

Council members Ruby Cotton, Michael Jackson, Lilisa Mimms voted against. Cotton had nominated Mimms to serve as president. However, Mimms did not have the votes.

“I will work with each and every one of you to move this city forward. That’s a promise from me as council president,” said Khalique.

Khalique said he will work with mayor Andre Sayegh’s administration to “move the people’s agenda forward.”

Sayegh congratulated Khalique on winning the presidency. He also pointed out Khalique is the first person Bengali-American to serve as president of the City Council.

Mendez was picked as vice president in a 5-3 vote.

Abdelaziz nominated Mendez while Mimms nominated Cotton for vice president.

Abdelaziz, Davila, Khalique, Mendez, Velez voted for Mendez. Cotton, Jackson, and Mimms voted against. Uddin abstained.

Mendez said the council has to hold the Sayegh administration accountable.