Speaking on Saturday, the minister confirmed that the inaugural sitting of the new parliament will convene next month. The session will include the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
He also said that ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government and obituary motions will be placed during the session.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has been selected as the Leader of the House in the 13th Parliament, while Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, has been chosen as the Leader of the Opposition.
According to the Constitution, the President must summon the first session of a new parliament within 30 days of the publication of the election gazette. The President does so based on the written advice of the Prime Minister. The gazette notification for the elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from the February 12 election was published on February 13.
Under constitutional provisions, even if elections are held, the new parliament begins its session after the previous parliament’s term expires. This was observed in the last three elections. For example, members of the 12th Parliament took oath on January 10, 2024, but the first session was held on January 30, after the 11th Parliament’s tenure ended on January 29. However, as there is currently no sitting parliament, the first session of the 13th Parliament is expected to be convened without much delay.
It is worth noting that voting was held in 299 out of 300 parliamentary seats on February 12, with results declared for 297 constituencies. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 seats, while three of its alliance partners won one seat each. BNP candidates are also leading in the two constituencies where results remain suspended.
On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats. Its 11-party alliance partner, the National Citizen Party (NCP), secured six seats, while Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis won two and Khelafat Majlis won one seat. Islami Andolan Bangladesh won one seat, and independent candidates secured seven seats. These independent candidates are known to be rebel contenders from the BNP.
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