Salahuddin Ahmed Reveals Date for First Parliamentary Session

Home Minister and BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has stated that the first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad may convene on 12 March or one or two days earlier. He shared this information with a media outlet on Saturday night.

Salahuddin Ahmed said: “The first session of the National Parliament will be held on 12 March or one or two days before that. In this session, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be elected. Ordinances issued during the interim government will be presented, and condolence motions will also be moved.”

According to the existing Constitution, the President must summon the first session of the newly elected parliament within 30 days of the publication of the election gazette. The President usually acts on the written advice of the Prime Minister. The gazette of winners of the 13th parliamentary election and referendum held on 12 February was published the very next day. As per this legal requirement, the first session must be held by 14 March at the latest.

Earlier, on 17 February, newly elected MPs formally took oath. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has already been elected as Leader of the House and has formed the new BNP-led government, which has begun state functions. However, the ruling party BNP has not yet finalized candidates for the positions of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Chief Whip—these are expected to be completed in the first session.

On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has been elected as Leader of the Opposition. Jamaat's Naib-e-Amir Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher has been chosen as Opposition Deputy Leader, while NCP Convener Md. Nahid Islam has been appointed Opposition Chief Whip. The upcoming session will mark the full commencement of parliamentary proceedings.