Shahabuddin takes office as Bangladesh's 22nd president

DHAKA, Bangladesh

Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu was sworn in as the new president of Bangladesh on Monday ahead of the country’s general elections in 2024.

Shahabuddin Chuppu, 74, took office as the 22nd president at a ceremony in the Bangabhaban, the official residence and principal workplace of the president, where National Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the oath.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, chief justice, outgoing President Md Abdul Hamid, Cabinet members, and hundreds of distinguished guests attended the oath-taking ceremony.

Shahabuddin was declared as the next president-elect unopposed of Bangladesh by the country’s Election Commission in February as the commission did not get any other nominations.

He was nominated by the ruling Awami League (AL) party.

Hailing from the northern Pabna district, retired district judge Shahabuddin also served as a member of the AL’s Advisory Council.

A freedom fighter of the country’s independence war in 1971, he also served as commissioner of the country's autonomous body against corruption, Anti-Corruption Commission.

According to the country’s constitution, the presidential election must be held 60 to 90 days before the expiry of each five-year term. Hamid could not become president again as he was elected for two terms, according to the country’s constitution.