2023 Bangladeshi presidential election

As the ruling party Bangladesh Awami League has the majority of seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, and the constitution restricts cross-voting, the candidate nominated by the party is supposed to win the election. Besides, opposition parties had already declared that they won't nominate any candidate. Thus AL-nominated candidate Mohammed Shahabuddin won the election unopposed. == Electoral system ==

The president is elected by an indirect election by the members of parliament as per Article 48 of the Constitution. However, since 1991, when parliamentary government system was restored in Bangladesh, all of government party candidates have been elected uncontestedly. == Election schedule ==

The election schedule was announced by the Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on 25 January 2023, after meeting with the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury the day before. == Electoral college ==

On 6 December 2022, seven Members of Parliament (MP) affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) resigned as part of their anti-government protests. Before the declaration of presidential election schedule, the Election Commission of Bangladesh published the voter list which listed 343 members, as seven seats were vacant. On 1 February 2023, by-elections were held among the six directly elected seats. Although the Election Commission at first indicated that the by-election winners will not be included in the electoral college, the commission eventually published a revised gazette on 9 February which was composed of 349 members, after the six MPs took their oath on 8 February. == Candidates ==

Responses National Political parties Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP had already expressed their disinterest in the election, as they were already protesting for the resignation of the Hasina-led government. Before the election, parliamentary main opposition party Jatiya Party-JaPa (Ershad) had said that they won't nominate any candidate for the election. As Mohammed Shahabuddin was nominated for the election, JaPa's chairman Ghulam Muhammed Quader welcomed him and hoped that "he would discharge the duty with sincerity for betterment of the country and the nation". About the responses by others, he said, "The parties which are raising questions about the election, have they not seen the constitution? It is clearly said in the constitution that the party with majority can elect the president. Awami League has majority in the Parliament. They can constitutionally elect the President". There were mixed reactions form leftist political parties. International Organizations • United Nations: The national chapter of the UN congratulated Mohammed Shahabuddin for being appointed for the post of President of the republic in a press release on 14 February. On the statement the organization also hoped that "the UN will extend its partnership with Bangladesh under his leadership to achieve Bangladesh's commitments towards implementing the SDGs and the UN charter". Nations • : The President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping congratulated President Shahabuddin by sending a later on 24 April 2023 and said that he would be willing to work with him to enhance traditional friendship between China and Bangladesh • : Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has extended his congratulations to President-elect of Bangladesh Md Shahabuddin on 5 March 2023. • : Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has sent a cable of congratulations to President Shahabuddin. • : Russian president Vladimir Putin's congratulation message to Shahabuddin was released by the Russian Embassy in Dhaka on 28 February. • : The King of Saudi Arabia and Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, has sent a cable of congratulation to Shahabuddin on his election as President • : UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to Mohammed Shahabuddin and UAE vice president, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also dispatched similar messages on 24 April 2024 • The heads of the state and government of Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and other countries also congratulated him. • : The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi also wished Mohammed Shahabuddin. Taking to his Twitter handle, the president wrote: "I am confident that during your tenure our brotherly ties would be further strengthened. I wish you a very successful term in office and look forward to working closely with you for the mutual benefit of our countries." Inauguration The inauguration of the president of Bangladesh is a ceremony to mark the commencement of a new five-year term of the president of Bangladesh. The inauguration takes place on the day following the expiry of the term of office of the preceding president. No location is specified in the constitution, but all inaugurations have taken place in Darbar Hall in Bangabhaban palace. The ceremony is transmitted live by national broadcaster BTV on its principal television and radio channels, typically from around 11 am. To highlight the significance of the event, all key figures in the executive (the government of Bangladesh), the legislature (Sangsad) and the judiciary attend, as do members of the diplomatic corps and other invited guests. == Notes ==