President of Bangladesh

The President of Bangladesh (POB), officially the President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is the head of state of Bangladesh and the commander-in-chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. While the role has been ceremonial since the 1990 uprising, the president has gained greater political influence since the 2026 presidential election.

The president is elected by the Jatiya Sangsad for a five-year term and represents the nation in domestic and international affairs. The role of the president has changed three times since Bangladesh achieved its independence in 1971. Initially, during the first 20 years the president held executive power. In 1991, with the restoration of a democratically elected government, Bangladesh adopted a parliamentary democracy based on a Westminster system, making the president largely ceremonial. In 1996, the constitution passed new laws slightly enhancing the president's executive authority only after a Parliament dissolution, with modest executive powers emerging after the 2026 presidential election.

The president's official resident is Bangabhaban and it is elected by the 350 parliamentarians in an open ballot, and thus generally represents the majority party of the legislature. He continues to hold office after his five-year term expires until a successor is elected to the presidency.