The swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected members of the 13th National Parliament of Bangladesh was held on Tuesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament building. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath of office to the MPs at approximately 10:42 AM local time. According to official reports, the ceremony commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, following established parliamentary traditions. The event was conducted under stringent security measures, with over 1,000 local and foreign dignitaries in attendance. This marks the formal commencement of the transition from the interim administration to a democratically elected government.
Prime Ministerial Inauguration and International Participation
Following the parliamentary oath, the focus shifts to the main ceremony scheduled for 4:00 PM at Bangabhaban. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath of office to Tarique Rahman as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, along with his initial cabinet members. The government has extended official invitations to 13 countries, including India, China, and Pakistan. Representing India, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri have arrived in Dhaka to attend the proceedings. A total of approximately 1,200 guests are expected to witness the formal transfer of executive powers to the new administration.
BNP Majority and Strategic Seat Adjustments
The BNP-led alliance achieved a significant victory in the general elections, securing 212 seats in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, thereby attaining a two-thirds majority. Tarique Rahman, who won from two constituencies, has officially decided to retain the Dhaka-17 seat and vacate the Bogra-6 seat. In Bogra-6, he secured 216,284 votes, while in Dhaka-17, he received 72,699 votes. The Election Commission's Senior Secretary, Akhtaur Ahmed, confirmed that a by-election for the Bogra-6 seat will be organized within 90 days as per the Representation of the People Order (RPO). Also, elections for the Sherpur-3 seat, which were postponed due to the death of a candidate, will be scheduled soon.
Minority Representation and Cabinet Prospects
The 13th Parliament includes four representatives from minority communities, comprising two Hindus and two Buddhists. Prominent Hindu leaders Goyeshwar Chandra Roy and Nitai Roy Chowdhury won their respective seats on BNP tickets, while goyeshwar Chandra Roy, a veteran politician who served as a Minister of State in the 1990s, is widely expected to be included in the new cabinet. Other minority representatives include Saching Prue from Bandarban and Dipen Dewan from Rangamati. Reports suggest that the new cabinet will likely consist of 30 to 40 members, balancing experienced leaders with new faces to address economic and administrative priorities.
Constitutional Process and Key Ministerial Candidates
The formation of the government follows a strict constitutional protocol where the leader of the majority party meets the President after the parliamentary oath, while tarique Rahman is expected to hold the portfolios of Defense and five other ministries. Discussions are ongoing regarding key appointments, with Humayun Kabir being considered for Foreign Minister and Dr, while reza Kibria, a former IMF economist, for the Finance Ministry. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the BNP Secretary General, is rumored to be a candidate for the Presidency in the future, though he may currently lead a major ministry. The final list of ministers will be formalized by the Cabinet Division following the Prime Minister's recommendation to the President.