The 2023 Bangladeshi presidential election was scheduled for Sunday, 19 February 2023 to elect the 22nd president of Bangladesh. However, nominations closed at noon on 12 February and the Awami League politician Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu, who had been nominated in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, was the only candidate nominated. On 13 February 2023, Shahabuddin was thus officially elected as the country's 22nd president as he was unopposed.[1][2][3][4]
Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu was inaugurated for a five-year term on Monday, 24 April 2023.[5]
Background
As the ruling partyBangladesh 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.[6]
Electoral system
The president is elected by an indirect election by the members of parliament as per Article 48 of the Constitution.[7] However, since 1991, when parliamentary government system was restored in Bangladesh, all of government party candidates have been elected uncontestedly.[4][8]
Schedule for the 2023 Bangladesh presidential election
Event
Date
Day
Election Date Announcement
25.01.2023
Wednesday
Last Date for Filling Nomination
12.02.2023
Sunday
Nomination Scrutiny
13.02.2023
Monday
Last Date for Nomination Withdrawal
14.02.2023
Tuesday
Polling and Results
19.02.2023
Sunday
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.[9][10]
2023 Bangladeshi presidential election Electoral College
Before the election, parliamentary main opposition party Jatiya Party-JaPa (Ershad) had said that they won't nominate any candidate for the election.[11]
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".[12] 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".[citation needed]
There were mixed reactions form leftist political parties.[13]
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".[14][15]
Pakistan: 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.[27] 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.[28]
Notes
↑ It was at first scheduled for 19 February, but Chuppu was declared elected unopposed on 13 February 2023
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