President of Bangladesh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি
Seal of the President of Bangladesh.svg
Presidential seal
Presidential Standard of Bangladesh.svg
Presidential Standard
Abdul Hamid

since 20 March 2013

The Honorable

His Excellency (diplomatic, outside Bangladesh.)
Residence Bangabhaban Palace
Appointer Jatiyo Sangshad
Term length Five years, renewable once
Inaugural holder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Formation 26 March 1971; 43 years ago (1971-03-26)
National emblem of Bangladesh.svg
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of

The President of Bangladesh (Bengali: বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতিBānglādēśēr Rāṣṭrapati) is the Head of State of Bangladesh, since 1991 elected by Parliament, and thus generally representing the majority party of the legislature.[1] In 1991, with the restoration of a democratically elected government, Bangladesh adopted a parliamentary democracy. The President is now a largely ceremonial post elected by the parliament.[2]

Since 1996, the President's role has become more important again. Parliament passed new laws enhancing the President's executive authority, as laid down in the constitution, after the Parliament dissolves. The President resides at the Bangabhaban Palace, which is his office and residence. The President is elected to assume office by the 300 parliamentarians in an open ballot.[3][4] He continues to hold in office after his five-year term expires until a successor is elected to the presidency.[1]

History of the Office[edit]





Sheikh Mujibur Rahman[edit]

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a Bengali nationalist politician and the founder of Bangladesh. He headed the Awami League, served as the Prime Minister in 1972 and the President in 1975. He is popularly referred to as Sheikh Mujib, and with the honorary title of Bangabandhu (বঙ্গবন্ধু Bôngobondhu, "Friend of Bengal"). His eldest daughter Sheikh Hasina Wajed is the present leader of the Awami League and the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He introduced the state policy of Bangladesh according to four basic principles—nationalism, secularism, socialism, and democracy.[7]

The Awami League won a massive majority in the first parliamentary elections of Bangladesh in March 1973. It continued as a mass movement, espousing the cause that brought Bangladesh into being and representing disparate and often incoherent elements under the banner of Bangla nationalism. No other political party in Bangladesh's early years was able to duplicate or challenge its broad-based appeal, membership, or organizational strength.[7]

The new government focused on relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the country's war-ravaged economy and society. Economic conditions remained tenuous, however, and food and health irregularities was rampant causing difficulties that continued to be endemic. Bangabandhu declared some of war criminals free who were not directly involved in war crime, but he never forgave those who were directly involved with war crimes like Murder, Rape etc. In 1974, Mujib proclaimed a State of Emergency and amended the constitution to limit the powers of the legislative and judicial branches, established a one man, single party executive presidency, and instituted a one-party system. Calling these changes the "Second Revolution," Mujib assumed the presidency. All political parties were dissolved except for a single new party, the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL), which all members of parliament, government and semi-autonomous associations and bodies were obliged to join. Political militias of the Awami League ruled the streets and villages of the entire nation through torture, rape, murder, looting and other subversive activities. Mujib's family members reigned the streets of Dhaka as strongman.[7]



Assassination of Mujibur Rahman

Implementation of promised political reforms was slow, and Mujib increasingly was criticized. In August 1975, he was assassinated by junior and mid-level army officers, and a new government, headed by a former associate, Khandakar Moshtaque, was formed. Mushtaq's government was removed by a silent coup that occurred on 3 November 1975. A counter uprising occurred four days later on 7 November, resulting from a power struggle, and Maj. Gen. Ziaur Rahman emerged into the political scene returning to the post of Army Chief of Staff. He pledged the army's support to the civilian government headed by the president, Chief Justice Sayem. As the country was in dire situation with no stability and security, acting at Zia's behest, Sayem then promulgated martial law, continued Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's State of Emergency, and less than replaced President Sayem as the Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA).[7]

Ziaur Rahman (BNP)[edit]

After a Yes-No nation wide vote referendum, Ziaur Rahman was elected for a 5-year term as president in 1978. His government removed the remaining restrictions on political parties and encouraged all opposition parties to participate in the pending parliamentary elections. He freed the press, and introduced a market economy. More than 30 parties vied in the parliamentary elections of 15 February 1979, and with massive public support Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won 207 of the 300 elected seats.[7]

Initially as Deputy CMLA, Ziaur Rahman sought to invigorate government policy and administration. While continuing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's ban on political parties, he sought to revitalize the demoralized bureaucracy, to begin new economic development programs, and to emphasize family planning. A year later in November 1976, Ziaur Rahman became Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA). He assumed the presidency upon Sayem's retirement 5 months later, promising national elections in 1978.

Islamic ideology

Zia moved to lead the nation in a new direction, significantly different from the ideology and agenda of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Awami League and BAKSAL.[8] He issued a proclamation order amending the constitution, replacing secularism with increasing the faith of the people in their creator. In the preamble, he inserted the salutation "Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Rahim" (In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful). In Article 8(1) and 8(1A) the statement "absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah" was added, replacing the commitment to secularism. Socialism was redefined as "economic and social justice."[9] In Article 25(2), Zia introduced the principle that "the state shall endeavour to consolidate, preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic solidarity."[10] Zia's edits to the constitution redefined the nature of the republic from the secularism laid out by Sheikh Mujib and his supporters.[9] Islamic religious education was introduced as a compulsory subject in Bangladeshi schools, with provisions for non-Muslim students to learn of their own religions.[11]


Reforms and International Relations


The most notable of Zia's reformed diplomacy was establishing a magnificent relationship with the Muslim world as well as the Middle-east. The present bulk overseas recruitment of Bangladeshi migrant workers to several Middle-eastern countries are direct outcome of Zia's efforts those he put to develop a long-lasting relationship with the Muslim leadership of the world. The purpose of Middle-east relations has been largely economical whereas the rapid improvement of relations with China was particularly made to for rapid advancement of the country's armed forces.

Throughout the study of Zia's international relations it could have been suggested that attention to the bigger neighbor India has been largely ignored. But Zia was found to put strong emphasis on regional cooperation particularly for South Asia. It came evident after Zia took initiative to found SAARC. Zia's dream of Bangladesh's involvement in a strong regional cooperation was met after 4 years of his assassination when SAARC got founded on 8 December 1985 with a key role of the then Bangladeshi authority.

Assassination of Ziaur Rahman

In 1981, Zia was assassinated by dissident elements of the military. Vice President Justice Abdus Sattar was constitutionally sworn in as acting president. He declared a new national emergency and called for elections within 6 months. Sattar was elected president and won. Sattar was ineffective, however, and Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. H.M. Ershad assumed power in a bloodless coup in March 1982.[7]

Hussain Muhammad Ershad (Jatiya Party)[edit]







Powers and duties[edit]

Currently, although the position of President holds de jure importance, its de facto powers are largely ceremonial.[2] The Constitution allows the President to act only upon the advice of the Prime Minister and her Cabinet.[1]


The President can appoint the following to office:[1]



The President is granted immunity for all his actions by Article 51 of the Constitution[1] and is not answerable to anybody for his actions, and no criminal charges can be brought to the Court against him. The only exception to this immunity is if the Parliament seeks to impeach the President.

Prerogative of mercy[edit]

The President has the prerogative of mercy by Article 49 of the Constitution,[1] which allows him to grant pardon to anybody, overriding any verdict given by any Court in Bangladesh.


By Article 80, the President can refuse to assent to any bill passed by the parliament, but send it back for review. A bill is enacted only after the President assents to it.

Chancellor at Universities[edit]

Chancellor is a titular position at Universities in Bangladesh, always held by the incumbent President of Bangladesh under the Private Universities Act 1992.[13] The position in public universities is not fixed for the president under any acts or laws (since the erection of a state university in Bangladesh requires an act to be passed in itself),[14] but it has been the custom so far to name the incumbent president of the country as chancellor of all state universities thus established.

Selection process[edit]


The Constitution of Bangladesh sets the principle qualifications one must meet to be eligible to the office of the President.[15] A person shall not be qualified for election as President if he-

  • is less than thirty-five years of age; or
  • is not qualified for election a member of Parliament; or

Conditions for Presidency[edit]



Election process[edit]


Oath or affirmation[edit]

The President is required to make and subscribe in the presence of the Chief Justice of Bangladesh (or in his absence, the senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court), an oath or affirmation that he/she shall protect, preserve and defend the Constitution as follows:[16]


That I will bear true faith and allegiance to Bangladesh:

That I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution:


— Article 148, Constitution of Bangladesh


Article 54 of the Constitution of Bangladesh provides for the succession of the President. It states that in case of absence due to illness or other reasons, the Speaker of Jatiyo Sangshad will act as the President of Bangladesh until the President resumes office.[1] This Article was used during the ascension of Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar as the Acting President of the State following the resignation of former President A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury,[17] and when President Zillur Rahman could not discharge his duties due to his illness, and later, death.[18]

Since Bangladesh is a parliamentary system, it does not have a Vice President. However, during the presidential system of governance, Bangladesh had a Vice President who would assume the President's role in his absence; the post was abolished by the twelfth amendment to the Constitution in 1991.[5]



Presidential Residences and Office[edit]

The principal Presidential residence at Bangabhaban is located in Dhaka. There is also a Presidential Palace at Uttara Gano Bhaban in Natore District.

List of presidents[edit]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH". Retrieved 3 December 2011. 
  3. ^ "Presidential Election Act, 1991". CommonLII. Retrieved 3 December 2011. 
  5. ^ a b "Constitutional Amendments". Banglapedia. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Retrieved 2006-07-14. 
  6. ^ [1] Bangladesh Government Information
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Bangladesh". Virtual Bangladesh. Virtual Bangladesh. Retrieved 2008-04-05. 
  8. ^ Country Studies, Bangladesh (12 September 2006). "Zia regime". Retrieved 2006-09-12. 
  9. ^ a b Charles Kennedy, Craig Baxter (11 July 2006). Governance and Politics in South Asia. p. 238. ISBN 0-8133-3901-4. Retrieved 2006-07-11. 
  10. ^ "General Zia" (PHP). 2 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-02. 
  11. ^ Raman, B. (29 August 2006). "Zia and Islam" (PHP). Retrieved 2006-08-29. [dead link]
  12. ^ a b "Chittagong Hill Tracts Issue" (PHP). 12 September 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-12. 
  15. ^ "CHAPTER I-THE PRESIDENT". Prime Minister's Office of Bangladesh. 
  16. ^ THIRD SCHEDULE, retrieved 2 April 2014 
  17. ^ "Barrister Md. Jamiruddin Sircar". Bangabhaban. Retrieved 3 December 2011. 
  18. ^ "Speaker acting as President". Bangladesh News 24. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013. 

বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি