Md. Sahabuddin and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Pictures BS News Agency.
BS News Agency, Dhaka: The 22nd President of the country, Md. Sahabuddin, has resigned. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has accepted Md. Sahabuddin's resignation letter. Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has taken charge as the Acting President as per Article 54 of the Constitution as the post is vacant. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed gave this information at an emergency press conference in the oath-taking chamber of the National Parliament at around 5:30 pm on Friday. At that time, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said, in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 50 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, President Md. Sahabuddin submitted his signed resignation letter to me at 5:01 pm today (Friday). I have taken charge of the President as per Article 54 of the Constitution.
He also said, I have accepted the resignation letter and instructions have been given for its preservation in the records of the National Parliament Secretariat and for necessary administrative activities. The Speaker said, the day I took oath as Speaker, I also took oath as Acting President. Similarly, he said, the Deputy Speaker also takes the oath of Speaker during the oath-taking. As for the reason for the President's resignation, the Speaker said, he (the President) has stated in writing that he is seriously ill. He is suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney complications.
Earlier, President Md. Sahabuddin submitted his resignation to Speaker of the National Assembly Hafiz Uddin Ahmed citing the reason for his illness. In his resignation letter, Md. Sahabuddin wrote, 'I Md. Sahabuddin was elected as the 22nd President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and took oath as President on April 24, 2023 AD and have been discharging my duties with devotion, honesty and full loyalty to the Constitution till date. It is pertinent to mention that on August 5, 2024, after the then government fell in the face of the student uprising, a constitutional and constitutional crisis arose in the country. In order to overcome the constitutional crisis, I, as the President, sought the opinion of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh under the power of Article 106 of the Constitution. Then, in consultation with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, I formed an interim government. The interim government organized general elections to the National Parliament in consultation with political parties. The current government was formed based on the results of the elections and is running the government. At present, the government party and the opposition party are fulfilling their respective responsibilities in the National Parliament through democratic practices. Due to my strong and positive role, no constitutional disaster has occurred in the country. 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 disease called Autonomic Neuropathy was diagnosed in a health check-up. Due to this disease, I sometimes lose consciousness for a moment. Due to the outbreak of diseases, physical and mental incapacity makes it impossible for me to fulfill the duties of an important constitutional post like the President. I need long-term treatment. In this situation, I hereby resign from the office of President in accordance with the provisions of Article 50(3) of the Constitution. ’
According to the constitutional provisions, after the office of President falls vacant, the Speaker of the National Assembly shall assume the duties as the Acting President until a new President is elected. At the same time, the National Assembly shall elect a new President of the country within the next 90 days.