Shahabuddin to take oath April 24

President-elect Md Shahabuddin will take his oath of office on April 24.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will conduct the oath-taking ceremony around 11:00am at the Bangabhaban's Darbar Hall, President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin confirmed The Daily Star this afternoon.

Shahabuddin was elected unopposed as the president on February 13. He was the lone candidate of ruling Awami League.

Incumbent President Abdul Hamid's tenure will expire on April 23, according to officials. He cannot become president again as he held the office for two terms.

According to Article 123 of the constitution, the presidential election must be held 60 to 90 days before the expiry of each five-year term.

Shahabuddin is a retired district judge and a former commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

A valiant freedom fighter, he was imprisoned for several years following the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975.

He also served as the chairman of a labour court and a lawyer of the Supreme Court after his retirement.

Prior to Shahabuddin, 17 people had served as Bangladesh's president since independence.

Shahabuddin will be 18th individual to hold the post.