President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on Friday by submitting his resignation letter to Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, triggering the constitutional process for an interim presidency.
In his resignation letter, Shahabuddin said he was no longer physically and mentally capable of carrying out the responsibilities of the constitutional office due to multiple health complications.
He wrote: “I am seriously ill. I am suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney complications. I have undergone bypass surgery on my heart. Recently, a medical examination diagnosed me with a disease called Autonomic Neuropathy. Because of this disease, I occasionally lose consciousness for brief periods. Due to the combined effects of these illnesses and the resulting physical and mental incapacity, it is no longer possible for me to discharge the responsibilities of such an important constitutional office as the President. I require long-term medical treatment.
In these circumstances, in accordance with the provisions of Article 50(3) of the Constitution, I hereby resign from the office of the President.”
National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad called an emergency press briefing at 5pm on Friday.
Under Article 54 of the Constitution, the speaker will perform the duties of the president until a new president takes office following the vacancy in the office.
Article 54 states that if the office of the president becomes vacant, or if the president is unable to perform the duties of the office because of absence, illness, or any other reason, the speaker shall perform the duties of the president until a new president is elected.
Article 123(2) of the Constitution states: “If the office of the president becomes vacant due to death, resignation or removal, a new president must be elected within the next 90 days.”
Mohammed Shahabuddin served as a commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) from 2011 to 2016 before becoming Bangladesh’s 22nd president on April 24, 2023, during the Awami League government, for a 5-year term.
He was due to remain in office until April 2028 but resigned nearly 2 years before completing his tenure.
Following the political changeover on August 5, 2024, several political parties, including the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, demanded his removal. The interim government did not remove him, citing constitutional reasons, and the issue later subsided.
After the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formed the government following its victory in the National Parliament election on February 12, discussions over replacing the president resurfaced. BNP leaders said in March that the matter had not been discussed within the party because the president still had time remaining in his tenure. News of Shahabuddin's resignation emerged 4 months later.