73-year-old Shahabuddin was elected president unopposed in February, Photo: Twitter
Dhaka: Mohammad Shahabuddin, the 22nd President of Bangladesh, was sworn in as the unopposed president in February.
According to the international news agency, the senior leader of the ruling party Awami League and former judge, 73-year-old Muhammad Shahabuddin, was sworn in as the country’s president in a ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the cabinet at the historic Durbar Hall.
Shahabuddin, associated with the Awami League since his student days, will take over from former president Abdul Hameed, whose term is ending this week.
Due to the parliamentary system in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has all the powers, while the office of the President is an exhibition one, however, the office of the President gains special importance during general elections and for the approval of laws.
This is the reason why Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s most loyal leader Muhammad Shahabuddin has been made the president because the general elections in Bangladesh are going to be held in December or January next year.
In an interview last week, President Shahabuddin said that the Election Commission is an independent constitutional body whose responsibility is to encourage voters to vote and create a conducive environment.
President Shahabuddin’s wife Rebecca Sultana has been a former joint secretary in the federal government.
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