Shahabuddin Set to Leave Bangabhaban, Hafiz Takes Charge

Former president Mohammed Shahabuddin is expected to leave Bangabhaban on Sunday or Monday, after which Acting President and Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad will begin carrying out presidential duties from the presidential complex.

Shahabuddin is likely to move to his private residence in Gulshan, Dhaka. Although Hafiz Uddin Ahmad will operate his office from Bangabhaban, he will continue to live at the Speaker’s official residence in the parliament complex.

According to Bangabhaban and government sources, a former president is legally entitled to stay at Bangabhaban for up to one month after leaving office if he wishes. However, Shahabuddin has already started preparations to vacate the presidential residence.

If the arrangements are completed on Sunday, he may leave Bangabhaban the same day. Otherwise, he is expected to move out on Monday.

On Saturday evening, Shahabuddin hosted a private dinner at Bangabhaban for officials of the presidential office. Although some other formalities were expected, it remains unclear whether those events will take place.

On Friday afternoon, Shahabuddin submitted his signed resignation letter to Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad. After receiving the letter, the Speaker announced the resignation at a press conference at the oath-taking room of the parliament complex.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmad also announced that he had assumed the responsibilities of the president in line with the Constitution. Shahabuddin resigned nearly one year and nine months before the completion of his five-year term, citing health reasons.

Shahabuddin was sworn in as Bangladesh’s 22nd president on 24 April 2023 after being elected uncontested with the nomination of the Awami League. His term was scheduled to end in April 2028.

Meanwhile, cleaning and maintenance work has begun at Shahabuddin’s Gulshan residence ahead of his return. The sitting area on the ground floor is being repainted, while furniture and other parts of the house are being cleaned.

Before becoming president, Shahabuddin lived in a fourth-floor flat of the same building on Road 123 in Gulshan. People involved in managing the property said preparations were underway as he was expected to return home within the next few days.

The building manager said they had been instructed to ensure the residence was clean and ready, though the exact date of Shahabuddin’s return was not confirmed.

Under the Constitution, there can be no vacancy in the office of the president. Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assumed the responsibilities of acting president immediately after Shahabuddin’s resignation.

Until a new president is elected and sworn in within 90 days, the acting president will perform all official duties and ceremonial functions of the presidency.

Parliament Secretariat sources said Hafiz Uddin Ahmad would start working from Bangabhaban after Shahabuddin vacates the presidential residence. The Office of the President and the official presidential residence are both located inside the Bangabhaban complex.

Bangabhaban hosts major state functions, including the presentation of credentials by foreign ambassadors and meetings with visiting foreign dignitaries. National day ceremonies and other official events are also held there.

After assuming presidential responsibilities, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad is scheduled to pay tribute at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar at 11:00am on Sunday. He will later visit the graves of former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and late BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to pay respects.