President Mohammed Shahabuddin is expected to resign soon, with sources indicating that physical illness is likely to be cited as the reason for his departure.

According to sources within the government and the BNP, the high command of the BNP has already conveyed a message to President Shahabuddin, who was elected during the Awami League administration, urging him to step down. Discussions regarding his potential successor are also underway at senior levels.

A source familiar with the message sent by the BNP leadership confirmed the likelihood of an imminent resignation.

High-level discussions within the ruling BNP regarding the election of the next president have brought forward the name of a secretary currently serving on a contractual basis in a key government post, a development that has emerged unexpectedly.

Previously, senior BNP leaders such as Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Abdul Moyeen Khan were among those discussed for the role.

If President Shahabuddin resigns, the Speaker will temporarily assume the duties of the president in accordance with the constitution, followed by the election of a new president through a vote by members of parliament within a stipulated timeframe.

Because the next national parliamentary election is scheduled to take place during the tenure of the incoming president, the selection holds significant political importance.

As of yesterday, no official statement or announcement regarding the resignation had been issued by Bangabhaban or the government.

However, a source close to Bangabhaban indicated that the president has hinted to his subordinate staff to prepare to leave Bangabhaban soon, adding that he plans to take a brief rest following his resignation and may travel abroad for medical treatment.

Constitutional Provisions on Presidential Resignation
Under Article 50, clause 3 of the constitution, the president may resign by writing under his hand addressed to the speaker.

Article 54 stipulates that if the office of the president becomes vacant, or if the president is unable to perform his duties due to absence, illness, or other reasons, the speaker shall discharge those duties until a new president is elected.

Article 123 dictates that if the presidency becomes vacant due to resignation, death, or removal, a new election must be held within the subsequent 90 days.

The president is elected by members of parliament, and given the ruling BNP's parliamentary majority, the candidate nominated by the party is expected to secure the position.

Policy-makers within the ruling party are factoring in the reality that the new president will need to navigate potential political pressures surrounding the upcoming parliamentary election, making experience and acceptability in dealing with the government, opposition, and state institutions key considerations.

Mohammed Shahabuddin took the oath of office as the 22nd President of Bangladesh on April 24, 2023, after being elected unopposed on an Awami League nomination. His five-year term was originally scheduled to conclude in April 2028.

The political landscape underwent a radical transformation following the mass uprising in August 2024 that led to the fall of the Awami League government, during which former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasan resigned and left the country, leaving President Shahabuddin to oversee several critical phases of political transition, including the dissolution of parliament and the formation of the interim administration.