Abdul Hamid sworn in

Abdul Hamid, a career politician who worked his way up to the top from the grassroots, has been installed as the 20th President of Bangladesh.

Acting Speaker Shawkat Ali administered the oath-taking ceremony at the Bangabhaban on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several of her Cabinet members attended the programme.

The President’s term is for five years which means he will be in office during the term of the next government.

A seven-time Member of Parliament from Kishoreganj, Hamid has been discharging duties of the President since the second week of last month when 19th President Md Zillur Rahman had been hospitalised.

The two-time Speaker was made the Acting President after the demise of Zillur Rahman.

No representative of the BNP was present at the programme. Ganaforum President Dr Kamal Hossain was present.

The ceremony at the Darbar Hall commenced with recitation from the Quran.

Hamid greeted everyone after taking oath, got down from the stage and spoke with the Prime Minister.

The President also exchanged greetings with others including Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, Awami League leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Ashraful Islam.

Everyone also congratulated the new President.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad and four Election Commissioners, chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, politicians and business leaders, among others, attended the programme.

Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan moderated the programme.

The 69-year-old was elected President uncontested on Monday.

His younger brother, who passed away on Tuesday, is expected to be buried at his village home. The President is expected to attend the funeral prayers.

Son of Hazi Mohammad Tayebuddin and Tamiza Khatun, Hamid was born in Kamalpur village of Mithamoin Upazila in Kishoreganj on Jan 1, 1944.

His political career began when he joined Bangladesh Chhatra League in 1959.

In the 1970 elections, he was elected as the youngest member of Pakistan National Assembly from Mymensingh-18 constituency. He was awarded the Swadhinata Padak this year for his contributions during the Liberation War.

After independence, he contested the 1973 national elections from the Kishoreganj-5 constituency and won.

He acted as the Deputy Speaker from July 13, 1996 to July 10, 2001. Later, he acted as the Speaker from Jul 11, 2001 to Oct 28, 2001. After the 2008 national elections, he was unanimously elected the Speaker for the second term.

He is the 17th person to hold the country’s highest office.