President Shahabuddin resigns
The speaker will now act as president until a new head of state is elected.
Highlights
- President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on today (24 July), citing ill health
- Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad confirmed the resignation at an emergency briefing
- Shahabuddin cited heart, kidney and neurological complications in his resignation letter
- He said he requires long-term treatment and cannot perform presidential duties
- Speaker will serve as acting president under Article 54 of the Constitution
- Shahabuddin was Bangladesh's 22nd president, serving since April 2023
President Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned, ending days of speculation over his future in office.
Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmad confirmed the president's resignation at an emergency press conference at 5:30pm today (24 July).
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"Although he was elected during the mafia government's tenure, I believe he has always expressed support and respect for the government currently elected by the people's votes," said the speaker.
At the beginning of the press conference, he said that President Mohammed Shahabuddin submitted his signed resignation letter to him at 5:01pm today in accordance with Article 50(3) of the Constitution.
"As a result, in accordance with Article 54 of the Constitution, I have assumed the responsibilities of the president and instructed that the matter be preserved in the records of the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat and that necessary administrative steps be taken," he said.
"He has informed in writing that he is seriously ill and has resigned due to health reasons. As the Speaker, I have accepted his resignation letter. You already know that on the day I took oath as Speaker, I also took oath as acting President, if required," added the speaker.
Speaking to Samakal this afternoon, Shahabuddin said, "It is already public knowledge. What's the point of hearing it from me? I am sick, so it is done."
He submitted his resignation letter to the speaker in the afternoon, reports UNB, citing President's Press Secretary M Sarwar Alam.
In the letter, Shahabuddin stated that he is seriously ill. "I am suffering from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and kidney complications. I have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery."
Mentioning that he was diagnosed with a condition known as autonomic neuropathy, he said he occasionally loses consciousness for brief periods as a result of this illness.
"Due to these medical conditions and the resulting physical and mental incapacity, I am no longer able to discharge the responsibilities of the important constitutional office of the president. I require long-term medical treatment," Shahabuddin said, adding that under these circumstances, he stepped down from the office of the president in accordance with Article 50(3) of the Constitution.
Under Article 54 of the Constitution, the speaker will now act as president until a new head of state is elected.
The resignation comes amid media reports that President Mohammed Shahabuddin spoke over the phone with ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina during his visit to London for medical treatment in May this year.
Shahabuddin travelled to London on 9 May and returned on 18 May. Hasina has been living in exile in India since August 2024.
Mohammed Shahabuddin was sworn in as the 22nd president of Bangladesh on 24 April 2023. The oath of office was administered by then-speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury. He was elected unopposed on 13 February 2023 as the nominee of the then-ruling Awami League after no other candidate filed nomination papers for the presidential election.
A freedom fighter, Shahabuddin retired as a district and sessions judge in 2006. He served as a commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission from 2011 to 2016.
He was actively involved in Awami League politics, serving as general secretary of the Pabna Edward College unit of the Chhatra League and later as president of the Pabna district units of both the Chhatra League and Jubo League.
He also held the posts of joint secretary of the district unit of the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BaKSAL) and publicity secretary of the Awami League's Pabna district unit.
Shahabuddin subsequently served as a member of the Awami League's Advisory Council. The activities of the party are currently banned in Bangladesh.
