Bangladesh to Elect New President in September

Dragon Media News Desk

Bangladesh’s Parliament will elect a new president during its next session, expected to be convened in September. The election must be held within 90 days of President Mohammed Shahabuddin ‘Chuppu’s resignation, in accordance with the Constitution.

Law Minister Mohammad Asaduzzaman said a special parliamentary session would not be necessary, as the election could be completed during the regular session scheduled for September.

According to him, Parliament’s second session ended on July 15. Under the constitutional provision, the next session must be convened within 60 days, or by September 14. As the constitutional deadline for electing a new president is October 24, there is sufficient time to complete the process during the regular session.

Shahabuddin submitted his resignation to Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Friday, citing serious health problems that made it difficult for him to continue performing his duties.

The Parliament Secretariat said Speaker Ahmed had assumed the responsibilities of acting president under Article 54 of the Constitution.

Under Bangladesh’s Constitution, members of Parliament serve as the electorate in the presidential election. As Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party holds a clear majority in Parliament, a candidate supported by the party is widely expected to become the country’s next president.

The BNP won 212 seats in the 350-member Parliament in the parliamentary election held in February. The party has yet to formally announce its presidential candidate.