President Shahabuddin Explains Decision to Resign

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned from office, formally submitting his resignation letter to the Speaker of Parliament on Friday (24 July). With the presidency now vacant, constitutional provisions have come into effect, under which Hafiz Uddin Ahmed will perform the duties of the President until a new Head of State assumes office.

In his resignation letter, President Shahabuddin outlined the constitutional circumstances that shaped his tenure, reflected on his role during a period of political transition, and cited serious health complications as the primary reason for stepping down.

The President wrote that he was elected as the 22nd President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and took the oath of office on 24 April 2023. Since assuming the presidency, he said, he had carried out his constitutional responsibilities with integrity, sincerity and full allegiance to the Constitution.

Referring to the political developments that followed the fall of the previous government on 5 August 2024 amid a student-led mass uprising, Shahabuddin stated that the country entered a period of constitutional and governance uncertainty. According to his letter, he sought the opinion of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court under Article 106 of the Constitution to help resolve the constitutional crisis.

Acting on the advice provided by the Appellate Division, he said, an interim government was formed. That administration subsequently held consultations with political parties before organising a general election for the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament). Following the election, the current government assumed office and continues to administer the country, while both the ruling party and the opposition are carrying out their parliamentary responsibilities through the democratic process.

Shahabuddin also expressed the view that his actions during this politically sensitive period helped prevent a constitutional breakdown. He wrote that his firm and constructive role ensured the continuity of constitutional governance despite the extraordinary challenges facing the country.

A significant portion of the resignation letter focused on his deteriorating health. The President disclosed that he has been suffering from multiple serious medical conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney-related complications. He also revealed that he had previously undergone coronary bypass surgery.

He further stated that recent medical examinations diagnosed him with autonomic neuropathy, a disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system. According to the letter, the condition causes him to lose consciousness intermittently. Combined with his other illnesses, he said, these health complications have severely limited both his physical and mental capacity to discharge the demanding responsibilities attached to the office of the President.

The President added that his condition requires long-term medical treatment and that continuing in one of the country’s highest constitutional offices was no longer feasible.

Concluding his letter, Shahabuddin formally announced his resignation from the presidency under Article 50(3) of the Constitution, stating that he was relinquishing the office in accordance with the constitutional provision governing the resignation of the President.

His resignation marks the end of his tenure as Bangladesh’s 22nd President and initiates the constitutional process for the appointment of a successor. Until a new President is elected and sworn into office, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed will discharge the responsibilities of the presidency in accordance with the Constitution.