President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Wednesday appointed Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Division said in a gazette notification.
“In accordance with clause (3) of Article 56 of the Bangladesh Constitution, the president of the People's Republic of Bangladesh decided to appoint Sheikh Hasina as the prime minister,” said the notification, issued shortly after Sheikh Hasina called on him Wednesday afternoon.
It said the decision was made as the “majority of the parliament members laid their confidence on her”, a reference to the Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) decision to make her the Leader of the House earlier today soon after they were sworn in as MPs.
The notification said the president also gave his consent to form a new cabinet under her leadership. It noted that with the formation of the new cabinet, the incumbent one would be deemed to have scrapped.
Earlier in the meeting, the Head of State congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her landslide victory in the 12th parliamentary polls.
He said this victory is a reflection of public opinion to continue the trend of democracy as well as the development of the country in the days to come.
The president said the countrymen through this election have given a verdict in favour of Independence, spirit of Liberation War and development and progress.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the country would become ‘Smart Bangladesh' and ‘Sonar Bangla’ envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Head of the State wished the prime minister overall success.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her gratitude to the people of the country for giving AL a landslide victory in the 12th national polls.
Upon the prime minister's arrival at 5:05pm, President Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana welcomed the prime minister with a bouquet. The prime minister also presented a bouquet to the president and his spouse.
Cabinet secretary, principal secretary to the prime minister's office and secretaries concerned to President and the PMO were also present there.