Speaker assumes duties as Acting President

Following the resignation of Bangladesh's 22nd President, Mohammed Shahabuddin, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament), Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, has temporarily assumed the duties of the President.

Speaking at a press conference at the Parliament Secretariat on Friday (July 24), the Speaker confirmed the development.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said that, in accordance with Article 50(3) of the Constitution, President Mohammed Shahabuddin submitted his resignation letter to him on Friday afternoon. Under Article 54 of the Constitution, he has assumed the responsibilities of the President and accepted the resignation.

The Speaker also stated that the President resigned due to ill health.

He explained that on the day he took the oath as Speaker, he also took the oath to serve as Acting President if required. Likewise, the Deputy Speaker, upon taking office, also takes an oath to discharge the Speaker's responsibilities if the position becomes vacant. Such provisions are part of the constitutional oath.

Referring to Mohammed Shahabuddin's resignation due to physical and mental incapacity, the Speaker said, "I wish him good health and a speedy recovery. Although he was elected during the tenure of the previous government, I believe he always expressed support and respect for the current democratically elected government chosen by the people. I wish him well."

Earlier on Friday afternoon, in his resignation letter submitted to the Speaker, Mohammed Shahabuddin wrote:

"I am seriously ill. I have been suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney complications. I have undergone coronary bypass surgery. Recently, I was diagnosed with a condition called autonomic neuropathy. Because of this illness, I occasionally lose consciousness for brief periods. 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."