Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Friday assumed the duties of acting president after Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned from the post citing health complications.
Shahabuddin submitted his signed resignation letter to the speaker on Friday, leaving the presidential office vacant. Under Article 54 of the Bangladesh Constitution, the speaker will perform the duties of the president until a new president is elected.
Confirming the development, Hafiz said the resignation was submitted under Article 50(3) of the Constitution, which allows the president to step down by sending a signed letter addressed to the speaker.
According to Article 123(2), a new president must be elected within 90 days if the office falls vacant due to resignation, death or removal. The president of Bangladesh is elected by members of parliament under Article 48(1) of the Constitution.
Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, a senior BNP leader and a six-time parliamentarian, was elected speaker of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad in March this year.