Acting President Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram left Bangabhaban at 1:25pm on Thursday, August 20, 2026, according to a video sent from the presidential residence. Officials at Bangabhaban bid him farewell with flowers as his motorcade departed under strict protocol.

Before leaving, Ahmed received a guard of honour from a smartly turned-out armed forces contingent. He inspected the guard and received its salute, then exchanged farewell greetings and courtesies with those present. The chiefs of the three services, the president's military and civil secretaries, and senior government officials attended the farewell ceremony.

Ahmed wished for peace and progress in the country and success for the government as he departed. Voting to elect a new president was scheduled to begin at 2pm the same day, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and opposition alliance candidate Oli Ahmed contesting. Ahmed had assumed acting presidential duties under Article 54 of the constitution after President Md Shahabuddin resigned on July 24 for health reasons.