Not today, perhaps a few more days

President Md. Sahabuddin was widely expected to resign at any time today, Friday, based on discussions throughout Thursday. But a different message emerged from Bangabhaban after the evening. An official said the president may not announce a decision today. He may resign after a few more days. The government, however, has not made any official statement regarding the president’s resignation. Home Affairs Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed said, “The government has no role here. If the president wants to step down for health reasons or any other reason, the Constitution provides that opportunity.”

Earlier on Thursday, a Bangabhaban official said preparations were underway for the president’s departure. He had sent some of his personal belongings to his residence in Gulshan. He was also expected to exchange farewell greetings with Bangabhaban officials and employees today and tomorrow. A few days after resigning, he is expected to travel abroad for medical treatment. The matter appeared to become clearer after it was learned that Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed had decided to cut short his visit to Bangkok and return to the country by this afternoon. Under the Constitution, the president submits his resignation letter to the speaker.

Reliable sources at the Parliament Secretariat said Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 12:10 p.m. today on a Thai Airways flight. He traveled to Bangkok on July 19 for medical treatment. Under his original schedule, he was supposed to return on July 26. However, he was requested by the government’s higher authorities to shorten his visit and return today.

An official at the Parliament Secretariat said the speaker had originally been scheduled to return on July 26. However, the government’s higher authorities requested him to return sooner. As a result, he will return on Friday. Asked why the speaker was returning early, the official said, “We have been hearing various rumors about the president’s resignation. That may be why sir is shortening his visit and returning to the country. I hope everything will become clear soon.”

Under Article 50(3) of the Constitution, the president may resign by sending a signed letter addressed to the speaker. If the office of the president becomes vacant, Article 54 provides that the speaker will perform the duties of the president until a new president is elected. Under Article 123(2), a new president must be elected within 90 days if the office becomes vacant due to death, resignation or removal. Article 48(1) provides that the president is elected by the votes of members of parliament. Although the Constitution does not require the speaker to be physically present in the country at the time of the president’s resignation, the speaker assumes the responsibilities immediately after the office becomes vacant. Therefore, the resignation and transfer of responsibilities are coordinated.

After these discussions during the day, inquiries in the evening found that the president has no scheduled program with Bangabhaban officials and employees. It is also not certain whether he will resign today. One source said that because of various ‘negative discussions’ surrounding the president’s resignation, Md. Sahabuddin may take a few more days before making a final decision.

Sahabuddin, 75, assumed office as president for a five year term on April 24, 2023, during the Awami League government. Accordingly, his term is scheduled to end in April 2028. He previously served as a commissioner of the Anti Corruption Commission and was widely known as Sahabuddin Chuppu. As head of state, Md. Sahabuddin is the supreme commander of Bangladesh’s armed forces. Beyond that, the office is largely ceremonial. Executive authority rests with the prime minister and the Cabinet. Sixteen months after assuming office, he found himself in an extraordinary situation. The Awami League government fell in a student and public uprising, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left for India after stepping down. Although little remained from the Hasina administration, Md. Sahabuddin remained at Bangabhaban in what many described as an inevitable outcome. He had to issue the order dissolving parliament, administer the oath to the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus and formally sign ordinances to give legal effect to the interim government’s decisions.

Several organizations aligned with the uprising launched a strong movement in October 2024 demanding Sahabuddin’s resignation. At the time, the BNP opposed removing the president, citing concerns over a constitutional crisis. In the end, the interim government did not proceed with that course of action. Overall, Sahabuddin spent a difficult period as head of state. In an interview with Reuters on Dec. 11, 2025, before the parliamentary election, he expressed his desire to step down after the February election. The president said, “I am eager to leave. I want to get out of here.” He later said he felt “humiliated” because he had been sidelined during the interim government, his photographs had been removed from Bangladesh missions abroad and Bangabhaban’s Press Wing had been downsized.

Although the BNP formed the government with an overwhelming majority in the Feb. 12 election, the president did not resign at that time. On Feb. 17, he administered the oath to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the ministers and state ministers of the new government. In an interview published on Feb. 23, the president referred to the BNP’s support during the interim government and said, “The BNP’s support for me during my difficult time was one hundred percent.”

The president traveled to London in May for health examinations and medical treatment. Members of his family, physicians, staff nurses and relevant Bangabhaban officials accompanied him. He returned to the country after nine days. At the time, Bangabhaban’s Press Department, citing his personal physicians, said his physical condition was “stable and satisfactory.”

While receiving treatment in the United Kingdom, President Sahabuddin also gave digital approval to important summaries and documents from various ministries. He also held an informal courtesy meeting with Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Malaysia and China from June 21 to June 26. It was his first overseas trip since taking office. After returning to the country, he addressed parliament on June 27 about the achievements of the visit. It is customary for the prime minister to brief the president after returning from an overseas visit. However, as of Thursday, neither Bangabhaban nor the Prime Minister’s Office had disclosed any information indicating that Tarique Rahman had met the president or otherwise briefed him on the outcome of the trip. As a result, many people believe a distance has developed between the president and those in power. Then, on Wednesday, rumors suddenly began circulating about President Sahabuddin’s resignation.