The members elected in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election are scheduled to take their oath of office on Tuesday, February 17. The swearing-in ceremony will be conducted in the morning by Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin. Sources from various offices, including the interim government’s chief advisor’s office, the law ministry, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have confirmed this development to the leading Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo.
Preparations for the oath-taking ceremony are already in progress at the Jatiya Sangsad secretariat. Traditionally, the ceremony takes place in the designated oath room at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Jatiya Sangsad secretariat secretary Kaniz Moula mentioned that arrangements are being made for the ceremony on Tuesday evening, February 17.
The 13th parliamentary election in Bangladesh was held recently, with the Election Commission releasing the official gazette notification of the winning candidates. Polling was conducted for 299 out of the 300 seats, with unofficial results declared for 297 constituencies. However, gazette notifications for Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4 are pending following a directive from the High Court.
According to the announced results, the BNP secured 209 seats in the election, with its candidates leading in constituencies where results are yet to be issued. Additionally, their allies have claimed three seats. On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, while partners in the Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance secured nine seats. Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) and independent candidates also emerged victorious in the election.
Experts caution about the challenges ahead as Tarique Rahman is poised to lead Bangladesh, marking the country’s first male Prime Minister in nearly 35 years. Concerns loom over overcoming unrest and rising Islamist extremism that characterized the previous interim government’s tenure led by Muhammad Yunus.
