President of Bangladesh

The President of Bangladesh (POB), officially the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is the head of state of Bangladesh and the de jure Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The President’s role is largely ceremonial under the parliamentary system of government, with executive powers exercised by the Prime Minister and the cabinet. The President is elected by the Parliament for a five-year term and represents the nation in domestic and international affairs.

The role of the president has changed three times since Bangladesh achieved its independence in 1971. Initially, during the first 20 years the president held executive power. In 1991, with the restoration of a democratically elected government, Bangladesh adopted a parliamentary democracy based on a Westminster system. The president is now a largely ceremonial post, elected by the Parliament.

In 1996, Parliament passed new laws enhancing the president's executive authority, as laid down in the constitution, after the Parliament is dissolved. The president's official resident is Bangabhaban. The president is elected by the 350 parliamentarians in an open ballot, and thus generally represents the majority party of the legislature. He continues to hold office after his five-year term expires until a successor is elected to the presidency.

Mohammed Shahabuddin is the current president; he was elected unopposed on 13 February 2023. He took office for a five-year term on Monday, 24 April 2023.