New president to be elected Thursday, sworn in Friday

Bangladesh’s newly elected president will take oath at Bangabhaban on Friday evening, August 21, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said on Wednesday.

Voting to elect the new president is scheduled to be held at the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday, August 20.

According to sources, the swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7:30pm on Friday. Distinguished guests, including the acting president, prime minister, cabinet members, politicians, members of parliament, Supreme Court judges, senior civil and military officials, diplomats and other invited guests, are expected to attend the ceremony.

Under the Constitution, the president is the head of state and the supreme commander of the armed forces.

After taking the oath, the newly elected president will formally assume the constitutional responsibilities of the office and reside at Bangabhaban as head of state.

President Md Sahabuddin resigned from office on July 24, citing “physical and mental” illness.

Following his resignation, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed assumed the responsibilities of acting president.