Abdul Hamid becomes 1st president to complete 2 consecutive terms

The much colourful and eventful two consecutive terms of President M Abdul Hamid end today as President-elect Md Shahabuddin will take his oath of office tomorrow.

Abdul Hamid is the only president who completed two five-year tenures of presidency in a row.

The seasoned politician who became the head of state rising from field-level politics used to say that his presidential life in the Bangabhaban often seemed living in confinement as he could not lead a free life and mix with people due to tight protocol.

During these 10 years, Abdul Hamid was accepted by almost all political parties.

The outgoing president will be given a guard of honour and a farewell reception at the Bangabhaban at 12:30pm tomorrow.

Hamid took the responsibility as the president in-charge on March 14, 2013, when the then president Zillur Rahman was under treatment in Singapore.

After Zillur Rahman's death, Hamid became the acting president on March 20, 2013. Later on, he was elected unopposed as the head of state on April 22, 2013 and sworn in on April 24, 2013.

Hamid was elected president for a second term on February 07, 2018 and took oath on April 24, 2018.

He started his political career in 1959 by joining the then student front, East Pakistan Chhatra League. He was actively involved in the student movement in the early '60s and while studying in college, he participated in the anti-Ayub movement.

After the completion of his education, he engaged in the profession of law.

Hamid joined Awami League at the end of 1969. In the national assembly election of 1970, he was elected as the junior-most member from Mymensingh-18 constituency.

Hamid actively participated in the Liberation War in 1971.

In 1972, he became a member of the National Assembly. In the first parliamentary election of Bangladesh, held on March 7, 1973, he was elected member of parliament from Kishoreganj-5.

He was elected MP in the third national election in 1986, fifth general election in 1991, seventh in 1996, eighth in 2001, and ninth parliamentary election in 2008.

Hamid was unanimously elected deputy speaker of the seventh parliament and he discharged this responsibility from 1996 to 2001.

Afterwards, he was elected speaker and performed this role from July 12, 2001 to October 28, 2001.

In the eighth parliament, he acted as the deputy leader of the opposition in parliament from November 1, 2001 to October 27, 2006.

He was elected speaker in the ninth parliament and performed his responsibility effectively and efficiently.

A cordial man by nature, Abdul Hamid is respected by all for his charming and friendly behaviour.

Recently at a programme at the Bangabhaban, he said he will not do anything after his retirement which may diminish the dignity of the country and its people.

He also said no one should hold any other post after retirement from the position of president.

"Everyone should keep the dignity of this post. I believe that after becoming the president of the country, it is not right for him to hold any other post, no matter how tempting it is. If this is done, it will be an insult to the people of the country," he said.

Throughout his political career, Abdul Hamid, who had maintained good relations with all, was admired by everyone for his simplicity, witty speeches and honesty.