The Election Commission (EC) on Friday night published the official gazette notification for 297 newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from the 13th National Parliamentary Election, formally confirming their election.
The gazette, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, declared the official results for 297 of the 300 parliamentary constituencies.
The notification was issued under Article 39(4) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (President’s Order No. 155 of 1972), publishing the names of the elected candidates along with their fathers’ or husbands’ names, mothers’ names and addresses.
The list includes MPs from constituencies 1 through 300 in serial order.
However, the Sherpur-3 constituency, where voting was not held, and two other constituencies where results were suspended due to legal complications, have been left vacant in the gazette.
With the publication of the gazette, attention now turns to the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected lawmakers. Sources indicate that the swearing-in could take place on Monday.
Election outcome
Of the 297 declared seats, BNP secured a commanding majority with 209 seats. Its allies – Gono Odhikar Parishad, BJP and Ganosamhati Andolon-won one seat each.
Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats, while its electoral partner, NCP won six seats. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis obtained 2 seats and Khelafat Majlis secured one.
Islami Andolon won one seat, and independent candidates emerged victorious in six constituencies.
Uncertainty over oath administration
Under constitutional provisions, the Speaker administers the oath to newly elected MPs.
However, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury has reportedly remained out of public view since the July uprising, while Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku is currently in jail in connection with a case filed over the same incident.
The situation has created uncertainty over who will administer the oath to the new parliamentarians.
Article 148(3) of the Constitution provides that if the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is absent or unable to administer the oath, the Chief Election Commissioner may do so beginning on the fourth day after three days have elapsed.
Election Commissioner Begum Tahmida Ahmed told TIMES of Bangladesh that, under the circumstances, the Chief Election Commissioner would be expected to administer the oath.
However, she said the Commission has yet to hold any formal discussion on the matter.
Earlier, on 5 February, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that in the absence of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker, a person nominated by the President could administer the oath.
He also noted that if an elected member fails to take oath within three days, the Chief Election Commissioner is legally authorised to administer it.
Referendum results gazette issued
The EC also published the gazette notification of the national referendum late Friday night.
According to the notification, the referendum was held on 12 February, 2026 to seek public approval for the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025, and several constitutional reform proposals arising from the July-August 2024 student-led mass uprising.
The results show that 4,82,00,660 voters cast ballots in favour of the proposals, while 2,20,71,726 voted against.
The total number of valid votes stood at 7,02,72,386, with 74,22,637 ballots rejected. In total, 7,76,95,023 votes were cast in the referendum.
Click here to view the gazette
