Congratulations president-elect Shahabuddin

We wholeheartedly facilitate Mohammed Shahabuddin for becoming the president-elect of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. According to media reports, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Monday declared ruling party nominee Mohammed Shahabuddin, Awami League Advisory Council member, the president-elect of Bangladesh.

It would be an understatement to say that Mohammed Shahabuddin’s nomination came as a surprise. His name rarely, if ever figured in the discussions about who would become the new president after President Abdul Hamid vacates his chair. However, the surprise was of a pleasant variety. As a prominent member of civil society Mohammed Shahabuddin is known for his honesty, liberal values and opposition to fanaticism. Awami League has shown great sagacity and wisdom in nominating him as the president-elect.

His willingness to make sacrifices for causes he believes is exemplary. In 1975, after the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Shabuddin got arrested and was in prison for three years because he was against the newly formed government that was directed by the heinous murderers.

Mohammed Shahabuddin will be the 22nd president of Bangladesh. The president-elect is a former commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a retired district and sessions judge, and a valiant freedom fighter.

During the Liberation War in 1971, Shahabuddin was a key player in the northern region, serving as a student leader and the convener of the Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad. In the early 1970s, he was actively involved in progressive politics.

The president-elect’s progressive credentials are widely respected. He has upheld the pro-Liberation ethos throughout his life and career. As a president, these values will indeed hold him in good stead.

He distinguished himself with his integrity and forthrightness as a commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission. His experience as a district and sessions judge has undoubtedly instilled in him a thorough knowledge of the law of the land.

As a judge, he had to make critical decisions and his experience there will help him at Bangabhaban.

The ruling party's nominee was declared the next president of the country as no other political party with representation in parliament proposed any name for the presidential election. President Abdul Hamid is set to complete his tenure on April 23 this year. According to the constitution, a new president has to be elected within 90 to 60 days before the end of the incumbent president's tenure.

In the current global situation, Bangladesh is under pressure from various fronts. President-elect Shahabuddin will have to play a proactive role in guiding the nation in this comparatively unstable situation.

We believe once he assumes office Mohammad Shahabuddin will act neutrally and with integrity in the best interest of the republic. Mohammad Sahabuddin is a relatively young and energetic man. We wish that this energy will add dynamism and vigour to the highest office of the land.

The current President Abdul Hamid’s presidency has been marked by an understated dignity and grandeur. Unlike many of his predecessors President Abdul Hamid used his wit and sense of humour to his advantage. He showed that a president can also laugh and it does not diminish the stature of the august position. He will be remembered as a wise and benevolent guardian of the country and its citizens.

We expect that Mohammed Shahabuddin would be a worthy successor to President Abdul Hamid. Of course, he will have his own style and way of getting things done. Congratulations president-elect Mohammed Shahabuddin.