Bangladesh swears in new President ahead of election

Mohammed Shahabuddin, a former judge and a ruling party official, was sworn in as the President of Bangladesh on April 24, just months before a general election.

Mohammed Shahabuddin, a former judge and a ruling party official, was sworn in as the President of Bangladesh on April 24, just months before a general election.

Mr. Shahabuddin, 73, was an anti-corruption commissioner and fought in the country's 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan, the Presidential palace said.

"He was sworn in as the 22nd President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh today," Shampad Barua, Secretary of the President, told AFP.

He was elected by lawmakers in February after the ruling Awami League party nominated him instead of the Speaker of Parliament, who had been seen as the favourite.

Mr. Shahabuddin replaces Abdul Hamid, a former Speaker and Awami League stalwart, whose second term expired on April 24.

The election comes as the country faces mounting protests over the next general election, scheduled to be held in January 2024.

The Opposition has staged a series of giant protests in recent months, demanding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina step down and let a caretaker government hold a free and fair election.