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News Desk
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has become the acting president of Bangladesh. He assumed this highest responsibility following President Mohammed Shahabuddin tender his resignation to him citing “serious” health issues.
The Speaker announced the acceptance of the resignation letter of President Mohammed Shahabuddin at a press conference at the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) on Friday afternoon.
The Constitution requires the speaker to discharge the president’s duties until a new head of the state is elected.
Earlier, Shahabuddin confirmed his resignation to various media outlets, saying: “It’s already public knowledge. What’s the point of hearing it from me? I am sick, so it is done.”
Asked whether he had signed the resignation letter, he replied: “I’ve already said it. You can understand.”
Md Sarwar Alam, press secretary to the President, later confirmed that Shahabuddin had submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker, citing “serious illness”.
In the letter, the outgoing President wrote: “I am seriously ill. I suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney complications. I have undergone cardiac bypass surgery. Recently, I was also diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy.
“Because of this illness, I occasionally lose consciousness. Owing to these medical conditions and the resulting physical and mental incapacity, I am no longer able to discharge the responsibilities of such an important constitutional office. I require long-term treatment.”
Shahabuddin stepped down as Bangladesh’s 22nd president with nearly two years still remaining in his five-year term.
Under Article 54 of the Constitution, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has assumed the role until a president is elected.
