DHAKA: Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned from office, citing serious health issues that have left him unable to fulfill the constitutional responsibilities of the presidency, according to Bangladeshi media reports.
Shahabuddin submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the National Parliament on Friday evening, and the resignation has been received by the Parliament Secretariat, sources at Bangabhaban confirmed.
In his resignation letter, the outgoing president said he has been suffering from multiple medical conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney-related complications, and autonomic neuropathy.
He noted that he had previously undergone coronary bypass surgery and that recent medical examinations diagnosed him with autonomic neuropathy, a condition that occasionally causes him to lose consciousness.
Shahabuddin stated that the progression of his illnesses, along with the resulting physical and mental limitations, had made it impossible for him to continue performing the duties of the presidency. He added that he now requires long-term medical treatment.
More Read
Invoking Article 50(3) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, he formally announced his decision to resign from the office of President.
Under Bangladesh’s constitutional provisions, the President’s resignation becomes effective upon its submission to the Speaker of Parliament. In accordance with Article 54 of the Constitution, the Speaker of the National Parliament will immediately assume the role of Acting President until a new president is elected.
Mohammed Shahabuddin took office as President in April 2023 after being elected during the tenure of the Awami League government.
More Read
Following the student-led uprising that led to the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, Shahabuddin remained the only senior constitutional officeholder to continue serving. During his presidency, he served under three successive administrations, including the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus and the current government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
