Today could be president’s last day at Bangabhaban
Mohammed Shahabuddin. Collected photo
President Mohammed Shahabuddin may resign as early as Friday.
A reliable source at Bangabhaban, the President’s official residence, told Agamir Somoy on Thursday that the president is expected to step down.
The source said Shahabuddin has been informed to resign citing health reasons. However, neither the President’s Office nor the government has made any official announcement on the matter.
Several Bangabhaban officials told journalists that President Mohammed Shahabuddin may resign on Friday. They said various preparations are underway inside Bangabhaban. According to the officials, he may send his resignation letter to the speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad around noon on Friday.
If the process of electing a new president is delayed, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed may serve as acting president. The source also said there is no uncertainty within the government regarding the current president’s resignation.
A reliable BNP source said, “A message has already been conveyed to President Mohammed Shahabuddin from the party’s high command asking him to resign.”
Under the Constitution, if a president declares an inability to carry out the duties of the office, the resignation letter must be submitted to the speaker. If the office becomes vacant, the speaker will perform the duties of the president. A new president must then be elected within 90 days.
Earlier, on Feb. 13, 2023, Mohammed Shahabuddin was elected as the country’s 22nd president. He assumed office on April 24 of the same year.
After what the report describes as ‘fascist Sheikh Hasina fled to India’ on Aug. 5, 2024, there was widespread discussion over whether Mohammed Shahabuddin should remain in office as president. However, in order to uphold the Constitution, the interim government led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus took the oath of office before him. Later, after winning the 2026 election, the BNP also formed the government after taking the oath before Mohammed Shahabuddin.
