He will be sworn in Thursday as the 19th president of the country following his resignation from the post of the parliament member. [break]
The election commission of Bangladesh declared the 79-year-old veteran Awami League leader elected unopposed.
The ruling party nominated Zillur for the titular and ceremonial head of the state soon after assuming power in January.
After being elected, Zillur expressed his desire to work for the welfare of the country and its people. “I will do everything possible within my limited capability to safeguard democracy and people´s welfare.”
Zillur worked closely with Awami League founder and independence architect Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and played important role during the country’s 1971 liberation war.
He also led the party during critical hours after the Awami League president Sheikh Hasina was arrested by the erstwhile military-backed caretaker government.
Meanwhile, the outgoing president Iajuddin Ahmed paid farewell visit to the armed forces. Ahmad, who had become the president from the backing of the then ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), had become the civilian cover of the army rule following the imposition of state of emergency on January 11, 2007.
There is a pending debate in the parliament whether to take action against him for his ‘extra-constitutional’ activities.
Related story
44 nominated UML central members to be sworn in today
