Mohammad Shahabuddin takes oath as Bangladesh's new President

Veteran politician Mohammed Shahabuddin was sworn in as the 22nd president of Bangladesh on April 24 at a state ceremony attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet colleagues.

Veteran politician Mohammed Shahabuddin was sworn in as the 22nd president of Bangladesh on April 24 at a state ceremony attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet colleagues.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the oath to 73-year-old Mr. Shahabuddin at the historic Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban. Besides Premier Ms. Hasina and family members of the new President, politicians, Supreme Court judges, and senior civil and military officials attended the event.

Mr. Shahabuddin succeeds Abdul Hamid whose tenure ended on April 23. After the swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Shahabuddin signed the oath documents for the office of the President.

He was elected as President unopposed in February this year as a candidate of the ruling Awami League.

Despite being largely ornamental head of the state, the office of the President draws extra attention particularly during the general elections as he appoints the Prime Minister and becomes the constitutional guardian of the country.

Bangladesh is set for general elections in December or in January next year, amid growing differences between the ruling Awami League and its main opposition the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over the electoral system.

In a media interview last week, Mr. Shahabuddin, a lower court judge, said it was largely the responsibility of the Election Commission to create the atmosphere to encourage voters to cast their votes and expected the independent constitutional body to play its due role.