The inaugural session of the 13th Parliament started at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka on Thursday, formally opening the country’s new legislature.
The session began around 11am with the participation of newly elected lawmakers from the 13th national election.
The session opened with the Speaker’s chair vacant, since both the previous Speaker and Deputy Speaker had left office.
However, the 12 February election was the country’s first credible polls in more than 15 years.
Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to propose a name for Speaker.
A condolence motion will be tabled in memory of late former prime minister Khaleda Zia and others killed in past movements. Later, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman will present 133 ordinances.
As mandated by the Constitution, the president will deliver an address to parliament, marking the conclusion of the session. Following Thursday’s sitting, the House will reconvene on 15 March.
After securing a landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election, the BNP formed government on 17 February under the leadership of party chairman Tarique Rahman.
The Constitution requires the first parliamentary session to be held within 30 days of the gazette notification. Traditionally, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected during this opening session.
Given the ruling party’s majority, its nominees are typically elected to these posts. However, the BNP had proposed offering the Deputy Speaker’s position to the opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami.
Jamaat has announced it has temporarily rejected the proposal, stating it will decide on the Deputy Speaker role after parliamentary discussions regarding the July certificate.
