President may resign at any time

President Mohammed Shahabuddin may resign at any time. A reliable source at Bangabhaban confirmed to Agamir Somoy that he has made a ‘policy decision’ to step down due to health complications. There are also indications that the BNP government, which came to power with an overwhelming majority in the February 12 election, has given its ‘green signal’ for the decision.

A few months after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country on August 5, 2024, amid a massive student and public uprising, President Shahabuddin came under intense public scrutiny. Protesters demanded the resignation of the president, who had been appointed during the Awami League government. Demonstrators even marched to the gates of Bangabhaban. At the time, the BNP opposed his resignation in order to preserve ‘constitutional continuity.’ As a result, the caretaker government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus managed the state after containing the protests. Even after the BNP government took office on February 17, President Shahabuddin continued serving as head of state. Five months into the government’s tenure, the issue of his resignation has once again become a major topic of discussion.

A Bangabhaban official said in an interview on Wednesday afternoon that the president had made a policy decision to resign. He said, “The president may resign today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or on any day this month.” The official cited the president’s health as the reason. He said the president is suffering from neurological complications. He recently underwent MRI scans and several other medical examinations at the Combined Military Hospital. Doctors have advised him to seek advanced treatment abroad.

According to sources close to the president, Shahabuddin had been considering resignation from the first day the BNP government assumed office. After administering the oath to cabinet members at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on February 17, he informed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of his intention. The president told Tarique Rahman, “You have come to power with an overwhelming majority. It is only natural that you will elect your own president. I am also fully prepared to extend every possible cooperation in this regard.” Some senior BNP leaders claimed that the party did not develop any special relationship with the president after coming to power. They said he has simply continued carrying out his constitutional responsibilities.

There Will Be No Crisis if the President Resigns, Says Dr. Shahdeen Malik

Constitutional expert Dr. Shahdeen Malik told Agamir Somoy, “Under normal circumstances, if the president wishes to resign voluntarily, he may do so by submitting a signed resignation letter addressed to the Speaker. In that case, the Speaker will perform the duties of the president until a new president is elected. The Constitution clearly provides for this.”

He said, “There will be no constitutional crisis if the president resigns. Previously, when President Dr. A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury resigned, then Speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar served as acting president. It is Parliament’s responsibility to elect a new president whenever the office becomes vacant.”

Article 50(3) of the Constitution states that “The President may resign from office by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker.” This means that if President Mohammed Shahabuddin decides to resign, he will submit his resignation letter to the Speaker of Parliament. Article 54 of the Constitution also states that if the office of the president becomes vacant, or if the president is unable to perform his duties because of absence, illness, or any other reason, the Speaker shall discharge the functions of the president until a new president is elected or until the president resumes office. Under the Constitution, members of Parliament will elect Bangladesh’s next president. Article 48(1) states that “There shall be a President of Bangladesh who shall be elected by Members of Parliament in accordance with law.”

‘The BNP Gave Me One Hundred Percent Support During the Difficult Time’

Shahabuddin, now 75, assumed office as president for a five year term on April 24, 2023, during the Awami League government. He previously served as a commissioner of the Anti Corruption Commission and became widely known as Shahabuddin Chuppu. As head of state, Mohammed Shahabuddin 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 taking office, he found himself facing an unprecedented situation. The Awami League government fell following the student and public uprising, and Sheikh Hasina fled to India after stepping down as prime minister. Although virtually every institution associated with her administration changed, Mohammed Shahabuddin remained at Bangabhaban. He signed the order dissolving Parliament, administered the oath to the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, and formally approved ordinances implementing the interim government’s decisions. Even after the election, the new government led by Tarique Rahman was sworn in by President Shahabuddin.

In an interview with one of the country’s leading media outlets in February this year, Mohammed Shahabuddin said, “During the interim government, there were various conspiracies. There were many attempts to permanently destroy peace and order in the country and create a constitutional vacuum. I remained firm in my decision. As a result, none of the conspiracies succeeded. In particular, numerous plots to remove the president through unconstitutional means failed.” In the same interview, the president also said that he had received “one hundred percent support” from the BNP during that difficult period.

From Pabna to Bangabhaban

According to the biography published on the website of the Department of Information, Mohammed Shahabuddin was born on December 10, 1949, in the Jubilee Tank area of Shibrampur in Pabna town. His father was Sharaf Uddin Ansari and his mother was Khairunnesa. After becoming involved in student politics, he served as general secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League unit at Pabna Edward College during 1967 and 1968, vice president of the undivided Pabna District Chhatra League during 1969 and 1970, and president of the Pabna District Chhatra League from 1970 to 1973. On March 23, 1971, he was among those who raised the flag of Bangladesh at the Pabna Town Hall grounds. He also served as convener of the Pabna District Independent Bangla Student Struggle Council. Shahabuddin actively participated in the Liberation War in 1971 as a member of the Mujib Bahini. In 1974, he served as president of the Pabna District Jubo League. When the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League, or BAKSAL, was formed in 1975, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman nominated him as joint secretary of the Pabna District BAKSAL.

In 1982, Mohammed Shahabuddin joined the Bangladesh Civil Service Judicial Cadre. He retired in 2006 as a district and sessions judge. He served as a commissioner of the Anti Corruption Commission from 2011 to 2016.

Shahabuddin’s wife, Dr. Rebecca Sultana, retired in 2009 as a joint secretary to the government. Their only son is Mohammed Arshad Adnan. They have twin grandsons, Tahsin Mohammed Adnan and Tahmid Mohammed Adnan. The president enjoys traveling, reading books, and listening to music.