Bangladesh President Plans Mid-term Resignation After February Elections

Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin said on Thursday that he intends to step down midway through his term, after the country's parliamentary elections scheduled for February.

Speaking in a WhatsApp interview from his official residence in Dhaka, Shahabuddin said he was interested in stepping down but added that he would remain in office until elections are held, in accordance with the constitution.

He noted that while some protesting students had initially called for his resignation, no political party had urged him to quit in recent months.

As head of state, Shahabuddin also serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, though executive authority rests with the prime minister and cabinet.

Bangladesh experienced a major student uprising late last year that led to the fall of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
-QNA