President
Controversy over President-elect unexpected: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal termed the ongoing controversy over President-elect Md Sahabuddin unexpected.
He made the remarks at a press conference on Wednesday.
"Md. Shahabuddin is qualified to be president as per our constitution, laws, and court rulings. Controversy like this about the president is unexpected,” he said.
In his long career he served as a district judge, a commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, and a member of the AL Advisory Council. He is also a valiant freedom fighter.
Read more: Md Shahabuddin declared President-elect of Bangladesh
The controversy surrounding Shahabuddin is whether the post of the country’s head of state is an office of profit. Constitutional experts are divided on this subject.
On Monday the Election Commission declared Shahabuddin, a nominee of ruling Awami League, elected as the country’s 22nd president unopposed.
Md Shahabuddin declared President-elect of Bangladesh
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Monday (February 13, 2023) declared ruling party nominee Mohammed Shahabuddin, Awami League Advisory Council member, the president-elect of Bangladesh.
The CEC declared him elected at the Election Commission Office at noon after scrutinizing the nomination paper submitted on Sunday (February 12, 2023) .
“As per the election schedule two nomination papers were submitted for Md Shahabuddin on Sunday and one of those was accepted as valid after scrutiny today. There was no need to accept the other nomination paper,” Habibul Awal told reports.
Read more: ‘Everything is Allah’s will’: Md Shahabuddin, set to become next President of Bangladesh
A gazette will be issued today in this regard, he said.
Pabna erupts in joy at Shahabuddin Chuppu's nomination for president
People from all walks of life brought out a joyous procession in Pabna district town at ruling party Awami League's nomination of Md Shahabuddin Chuppu, a proud son of the soil, as the 22nd president of Bangladesh.
The nomination leaves only the formality of the retired judge being declared as president on February 19th, the date set for the presidential election, with no other candidates in the fray.
District unit Awami League organised the procession in the morning from the Awami League office which ended at the same place after parading different important places.
They also distributed sweets among the local people including rickshawpullers, van pullers and shopkeepers.
Also read: Profile of Md Shahabuddin
Rezaul Rahim Lal, President of the district unit Awami League, said: “It’s a great day for Pabna residents.”
He also thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for providing a party ticket to Shahabuddin as the next president of the country.
Md Shahabuddin was born in Pabna in 1949 and was one of the first members of Pabna district Chhatra League, Awami League’s student wing. He would eventually become the unit’s president.
In 1971, he was the convenor of the Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad in Pabna, and took part in the Liberation War.
Read More: Md Shahabuddin set to become next President of Bangladesh
He became the president of the Pabna district Jubo League in 1974.
He was imprisoned for three years following the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in August 1975. He was later appointed as the Law Ministry’s coordinator in the Bangabandhu assassination case.
In 1982, he joined the BCS (Judicial) Department, and in 1995, he was elected General Secretary of the Judicial Service Association.
He served as the chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission, which investigated murders, rapes, thefts, and other crimes by BNP-Jamaat alliance’s activists and leaders following the 2001 general election.
Read More: ‘Everything is Allah’s will’: Md Shahabuddin, set to become next President of Bangladesh
Profile of Md Shahabuddin
Md Shahabuddin Chuppu, who is set to become the next President of Bangladesh, is a lawyer by profession and a member of the Advisory Council of Bangladesh Awami League.
Md Shahabuddin was born in Pabna in 1949 and was one of the first members of Pabna district Chhatra League, Awami League’s student wing. He would eventually become the unit’s president.
In 1971, he was the convenor of the Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad in Pabna, and took part in Liberation War.
He became the president of the Pabna district Jubo League in 1974.
Read More: Md Shahabuddin Chuppu set to become country’s next president
He was imprisoned following the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. He was later appointed as the Law Ministry’s coordinator in the Bangabandhu assassination case.
In 1982, he joined the BCS (Judicial) Department, and in 1995, he was elected General Secretary of the Judicial Service Association.
He served as the chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission, which investigated murders, rapes, thefts, and other crimes by BNP-Jamaat alliance’s activists and leaders following the 2001 general election.
He also worked as a District and Sessions Judge and retired in 2006. He was a commissioner at Anti-Corruption Commission from 2011 to 2016.
Also Read: ‘Everything is Allah’s will’: Md Shahabuddin, set to become next President of Bangladesh
In the previous National Council of Bangladesh Awami League, he served as election commissioner.
He earned his LLB from Rajshahi University in 1975, and completed his MSc from the same institution.
Md Shahabuddin’s wife Prof Dr Rebecca Sultana, is a former joint secretary of the government.
According to the schedule, the presidential election will be held on February 19 as the tenure of incumbent President Abdul Hamid nears an end.
The final date for submitting nomination papers was February 12 and those will be reviewed on February 13, as per the EC.
The commission set February 14 as the final date for withdrawing nominations.
Voting will be held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban from 2 pm to 5 pm on February 19.
According to the constitution, a new president has to be elected within 90 to 60 days prior to the end of the incumbent president's tenure.
The previous presidential election schedule was announced on January 25, 2018.
Abdul Hamid was elected president unopposed for the second term on February 6 though the election was slated for February 18.
President Hamid is set to complete his tenure on April 23 this year
‘Everything is Allah’s will’: Md Shahabuddin, set to become next President of Bangladesh
“Everything is Allah’s will,” Md Shahabuddin Chuppu, who is set to be the next President of Bangladesh, said today.
“There is no reaction now. This is Almighty Allah’s will,” Md Shahabuddin told reporters after submitting his nomination paper at the Election Commission.
Md Shahabuddin, a retired district and sessions judge, had served as a commissioner at the Anti-Corruption Commission.
“Two applications have been submitted to the office of the Chief Election Commissioner and Presidential Election Officer at 11:00am and 11:05am. These two applications will be scrutinized tomorrow (Monday) at 1pm. The Chief Election Officer will inform you tomorrow after scrutinizing the nomination papers”, said Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam.
An Awami League team, led by the party’s general secretary Obaidul Quader, went to the Election Commission to submit the nomination paper of its presidential candidate. The delegation members included AL Presidium members Mohammad Faruk Khan, Jahangir Kabir, and Abdur Rahman, AL Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury Liton, AL Information and Research Secretary Dr. Salim Mahmud, AL office secretary Biplab Barua, AL publicity and publication secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap.
Also Read: Md Shahabuddin Chuppu set to become country’s next president
According to the schedule, the presidential election will be held on February 19 as the tenure of incumbent President Abdul Hamid nears an end.
The final date for submitting nomination papers was February 12 and those will be reviewed on February 13, as per the EC.
The commission set February 14 as the final date for withdrawing nominations.
Voting will be held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban from 2 pm to 5 pm on February 19.
According to the constitution, a new president has to be elected within 90 to 60 days prior to the end of the incumbent president's tenure.
The previous presidential election schedule was announced on January 25, 2018.
Abdul Hamid was elected president unopposed for the second term on February 6 though the election was slated for February 18.
President Hamid is set to complete his tenure on April 23 this year
Never did politics for getting or becoming something: President Hamid
President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday urged the senior politicians to come forward to highlight the authentic history in front of the new and future generations to enrich them with the spirit of Liberation War and independence.
"If we want to enrich our new and future generations with the spirit of Liberation War and independence, we should tell them the authentic history of these things. And this is the responsibility of all of us," he said.
The President made the statement while delivering his speech at the publication festival of his two books 'Amar Jiban Niti, Amar Rajniti and 'Swapna Jayer Ichcha'. The event was organised at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present as the chief guest while Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury and Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique spoke as special guests.
He said that independence is the biggest achievement of the Bengali nation. Struggle of independence and liberation war is the most important chapter in the history of Bengali nation.
The two-time president referred to himself as a common man born in the remote areas of Hoar region and raised in the mud of Hoar, and said that he never did politics with the aim of getting or becoming something. His politics started from his school life.
"I have not seen Bangabandhu yet. But the noble call of the great man always exposed me to the spirit of the independence movement. The first meeting with Bangabandhu was in 1964. And from then on, my activities in the politics began."
"Bangabandhu's political philosophy and ideology became my path. He was one and only sources of the ideal and inspiration in the language movement of 1952, Anti-military movement of 1958, six points of 1966, 11 points of the Chhatra League, uprising of 1969, general election of 1970 and liberation war of 1971. And he is the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," he added.
This senior politician also commented that Bangabandhu's ideals and inspiration have given him strength to face all the ups and downs in life, including facing extreme situation.
"I prefer to think of myself as a worker of Bangabandhu. Please pray for me so that I can uphold Bangabandhu's teachings and ideals and live as a soldier of Bangabandhu's ideals till the end of my life," he added.
He also thanked everyone who was directly or indirectly associated with the publication of his autobiographical books.
After inaugurating the Book Fair this year, the Prime Minister unveiled the autobiographical book 'Amar Jiban Niti, Amar Rajniti'.
Mentioning 'Bangabandhu is my political spiritual guide, my journey to the politics started under his guidance', the President said that he started writing the autobiographical book with the intention of presenting the history of his political life to the next generation.
"I am very grateful to my wife for inspiring me to start writing. Late Mainuddin Uddin Khandkar also played a significant role in this regard," he added.
In order to spread the ideals of Bangabandhu from generation to generation, Hamid called on all those who came close to Bangabandhu to write autobiographies.
In addition, the first and second volume of the book entitled 'Swapna joyer Ichcha' is basically a collection of speeches given on various occasions during 2013-2018. The book was compiled and edited by the Press Wing of Bangabhaban.
After the welcome speech, Bangabandhu's close companion and longtime political colleague of the President, a member of the advisory council of Bangladesh Awami League Tofail Ahmed discussed the two books. First Lady Rashida Khanam gave the vote of thanks.
Director General of Bangla Academy Mohammad Nurul Huda delivered the welcome speech in the publication ceremony.
Later, the visual documentary on the glorious history of Bangabhaban was displayed on two side screens of the stage. Then, a brief cultural soiree was held by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy there.
On the occasion of the conclusion of the first session of the 11th National Parliament in 2023, a cultural programme and dinner was organized in honour of the Prime Minister, Speaker, Ministers, Members of Parliament.
For more than a long month, a discussion was held on the President's speech in the National Parliament. In the discussion, the parliamentarians gave their well hought--out views on various issues related to the interests of the country and the people.
Hamid asked all to continue the development work in their respective areas with more sincerity and compassion for the welfare of the people.
Read more: President is very successful: PM
President inspects Victory Day parade
President Abdul Hamid on Friday witnessed the Victory Day parade at national parade square, marking Victory Day.
President Abdul Hamid took salutes and inspected the parade as the chief guest at the national parade ground.
Read more: PM releases postage stamp on Victory Day
The Great Victory Day Parade was held under the supervision of the Armed Forces Division and management of the 9th Infantry Division of the Bangladesh Army.
Parade Commander Major General Mohammad Shahinul Haque accompanied the President during the inspection.
Hamid also witnessed armoury acquisitions of different regiments and contingents of the armed forces, a spectacular fly-past conducted by army aviation, helicopters of anti-crime elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), navy aviation, parachute landing by army paratroopers and the air force of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Coast Guard, Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh National Cadet Corps took part in the parade.
On his arrival at the parade venue at about 10:30 am, Hamid was received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, parliament members and the chiefs of the three services and senior officers of the armed forces division.
Earlier, President Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar early Friday, marking the Day.
The head of state placed a wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at about 6:30am followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
After placing the wreath, they stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of deep respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971.
Read more: President, PM witness Victory Day parade
The Nation is celebrating its 52nd Victory Day (inc. December 16, 1971) with elaborate programmes, paying homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War.
On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh was liberated as an independent country after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month war.
Daisy, Lily new president, general secretary of Jubo Mohila League
Daisy Sarwar has been made new president while Sharmin Sultana Lily general secretary of Jubo Mohila League, the youth women front of Awami League.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced the names of the president and the general secretary of Jubo Mohila League from its third triennial council of the organisation held at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Thursday.
Awami League president Sheikh Hasina was present as the chief guest at the council.
During its founding in 2002, a convening committee of 101 members was formed.
In the first council of the organisation held in 2004, Najma Akhtar was made president and Apu Ukil the general secretary.
Also read: Will Juba Mohila League finally get new leadership at 2022 conference?
After 13 years, the second and last council of Jubo Mohila League was held on March 17, 2017 when Najma Akter was made president and Apu Ukil general secretary.
New French, Omani ambassadors present credentials to President
Newly appointed Ambassador of Oman to Bangladesh Abdul Ghaffar Bin Abdul Karim Al-Bulushi and Ambassador of France Marie Masdupuy presented their credentials to President Abdul Hamid.
Press Secretary Md Zainal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting.
The new Ambassador of Oman presented his credentials to the President first. After that, the ambassador of France presented the credential.
Welcoming the new ambassador of Oman, President Hamid hoped that Oman's relations with Bangladesh would be strengthened during the new ambassador's tenure.
Read more: New ambassador to Bhutan calls on president for guidance
Mentioning that Oman is an important destination for the export of Bangladesh's labor force, the President said that Oman can take more skilled manpower including nurses and doctors from Bangladesh.
Besides, President Hamid urged Omani investors to invest in Bangladesh's potential sectors.
Welcoming the new ambassador of France to Bangladesh,he said that France is one of Bangladesh's development partners and an important export destination.
Pointing out the bright prospects of foreign investment in Bangladesh, the President urged French investors to invest in various sectors of Bangladesh.
The President gratefully recalled France's cooperation in the country's great liberation war.
President Hamid thanked the French Embassy in Dhaka for celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between France and Bangladesh.
During the meeting, the new ambassadors of Oman and France sought the cooperation of the President in fulfilling their duties.
President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, and Press Secretary Md Zainal Abedin were present on the occasion.
President for ostracising the corrupt for combatting corruption
To combat corruption, President Abdul Hamid has called on everyone to ostracise the corrupt as their "dominance can now be seen everywhere – in towns, cities and villages."
"There was a time when there was no social acceptance of bribe takers, usurers and the corrupt. But with the passage of time, that value has gradually eroded. Now there is a dominance of the corrupt everywhere in towns, cities and villages. No one cares about the source of the money anymore."
He said this at a discussion held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day on Friday, which is observed globally on December 9 to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the Convention in combating and preventing it.
Read: Increase quantity, quality of scouts: President Abdul Hamid
The president also asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to take effective and bold steps to combat corruption.
Earlier, ACC Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah also called on everyone to identify the corrupt and ostracise them.
He made the call while standing in a human chain formed in front of the ACC headquarters in the capital's Segunbagicha, marking International Anti-Corruption Day.
International Anti-Corruption Day is being observed in eight divisions, 64 districts and 495 upazilas of the country.
Read: President Hamid urges public representatives to work for the people
International Anti-Corruption Day seeks to highlight the crucial link between anti-corruption and peace, security, and development. At its core is the notion that tackling this crime is the right and responsibility of everyone, and that only through cooperation and the involvement of every person and institution can we overcome the negative impact of this crime.
States, government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, media representatives, the private sector, civil society, academia, the public and youth alike all have a role to play in this.