No special session for presidential poll

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said that Bangladesh’s next President will be elected during the upcoming session of the National Parliament in September.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday at a human rights consultation meeting organised at CIRDAP in the capital, the minister said there was no need to convene a special session of Parliament solely for the election of a new President.

“The election of the President will take place during the next session of Parliament in September,” he said.

Responding to a question about the case filed against former President Md Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu, the law minister said it would not be appropriate to comment on the matter at this stage.

Former President Shahabuddin submitted his signed resignation letter to Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on the afternoon of Friday in accordance with the Constitution.

Following the resignation, the Speaker assumed the responsibilities of the President under Article 54 of the Constitution.

Shahabuddin, who was sworn in as Bangladesh’s 22nd President on 24 April 2023, had been due to complete his five-year term in April 2028.

However, he stepped down nearly two years before the end of his tenure, citing health reasons.

Under the Constitution, when the office of the President falls vacant, the Speaker performs the functions of the President until a successor is elected and takes office.

Accordingly, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed is currently serving as Acting President.

The Constitution also stipulates that the Jatiya Sangsad must elect a new President within 90 days of the office becoming vacant.