Ending all speculation, President Md Sahabuddin has resigned. Asked on Friday about the resignation, the president told a media outlet: “It is common knowledge — what is the good of hearing it from my mouth? I am sick, so it is done.”
Asked about signing the resignation letter, the president said: “I have said it; take it as you understand it.”
The Speaker has called a press conference at the Jatiya Sangsad building at 5 p.m. to announce the receipt of the president’s resignation letter.
With the office of president now vacant, under the constitution the Speaker will act as president until a new president takes office.
Under article 50(3) of the constitution, the president may resign through a signed letter addressed to the Speaker. Article 54 states that if the office of president falls vacant, or if he is unable to discharge his duties because of absence, illness or any other reason, the Speaker will act as president until a new president is elected.
Under article 123(2) of the constitution, if the office of president falls vacant through death, resignation or removal, a new president must be elected within the following 90 days. Under article 48(1) of the constitution, the president is elected by the votes of members of parliament.
The ruling BNP has a majority in parliament. So a person nominated by the party is more likely to be elected the next president. Discussions have been under way at the BNP’s top level for several days over who will be nominated as Md Sahabuddin’s successor.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed returned to Dhaka from the Thai capital Bangkok at midday on Friday. He had gone to Bangkok for treatment on July 19. Although he was scheduled to return next Sunday, he came home two days ahead of the set time.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report