Amid speculation over a possible resignation by President Md. Sahabuddin, Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed returned to Dhaka from a shortened Thailand visit on July 24. Speaking to journalists at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he said he had no prior information about any resignation. He said that if the president resigns, the resignation letter would be submitted to the speaker and parliament would elect a new president within 90 days.

The speaker said he would serve as acting president if the presidential post becomes vacant or the president is unable to perform duties, until a new president is elected. The report cites Article 50(3) of the constitution, under which a president may resign through a written, signed letter addressed to the speaker. Under Article 54, the speaker carries out acting presidential duties when the post is vacant. The speaker had been due to return on July 26 but said he returned two days earlier after completing a medical checkup early, on personal work and doctors’ advice.