Hamid sworn in as President for 2nd term

President Abdul Hamid was sworn in as the President of Bangladesh for a second consecutive term on Tuesday.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered his oath of office at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at about 7:45pm.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and other dignitaries were present at the oath-taking ceremony.

Hamid is the only Bangladeshi to hold the office twice on the trot. It is his final stint as the
Constitution allows a maximum of two terms.

On Apr 24, 2013, Hamid was sworn in as the 20th president of Bangladesh. Since independence, 16 people have headed the state for 19 terms. Hamid is the 17th person to serve as president.

A veteran politician and parliamentarian, Hamid appeared as the country's 21st President, 77 days after the Election Commission declared him elected to the presidency unopposed for the highest office.

He was elected to parliament for seven times since the 1971 independence.

Nearly 1,000 distinguished guests including Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, parliamentary opposition leader Raushan Ershad, cabinet members and the premier's advisers witnessed the ceremony.

The others, who were present, included the Chief Election Commissioner, Supreme Court judges, foreign ambassadors, senior politicians, distinguished citizens, chiefs of three armed services, senior civil officers, editors and senior journalists.

According to the section 7 of President Law 1991, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nurul Huda, also returning officer of the presidential election, on February 7 declared Abdul Hamid as the 21st President of Bangladesh as no other candidate contended for the post.

According to article 123 of the Constitution, the presidential election shall be held between 90 and 60 days before expiry of the five-year term.

According to Bangabhaban website, Md Abdul Hamid was born on January 1, 1944 at Kamalpur in Mithamain upazila under Kishoreganj district.

His father's name is late Hazi Md Tayeb Uddin while mother's late Tomiza Khatun.

He obtained BA degree from Gurudayal College of Kishoreganj and LLB degree from Central Law College under the Dhaka University.
On completion of his education, he engaged himself in the profession of law.

Hamid started his political career in 1959 by joining the then student front Chhatra League.

He was the founder President of Chhatra League of Kishoreganj Sub-division unit in 1964 and elected Vice-President of Chhatra League of Mymensingh district unit in 1966-67.

He was imprisoned in 1968 for leading the then student movement. He joined Awami League at the end of 1969.