The first session of new Parliament, scheduled to begin at 11am on Thursday, will see the placement of 133 ordinances issued during the tenure of interim government.
The decision was finalised during a meeting of the BNP parliamentary party held on Wednesday on the ninth floor of the Parliament building, chaired by Leader of the House Tarique Rahman.
According to the agenda, the BNP intends to facilitate the passage of necessary ordinances while determining the fate of others through established parliamentary processes.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni confirmed that Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman would formally present the 133 ordinances before the House.
Scrutiny and public opinion
The chief whip explained that the ordinances will be referred to a special committee for scrutiny and to gauge public opinion.
This committee, consisting of 8 to 15 elected Members of Parliament, is tasked with reviewing specific legislative proposals or investigating particular matters before dissolving upon completion of its mandate.
The committee will ultimately decide which ordinances should be upheld and which will be allowed to lapse.
Parliament members present at the meeting noted that any ordinance failing to be enacted into law within 30 working days of the session will automatically be repealed.
The BNP plans to raise specific “notes of dissent” regarding certain ordinances that were previously discussed during meetings of the National Consensus Commission.
First day proceedings
The opening day’s proceedings will include the formation of the Business Advisory Committee, Privilege Committee, and House Committee.
Following the president’s address, the session will be adjourned. Other key procedural activities include the election of the Deputy Speaker, the nomination of a five-member panel of chairmen, and the presentation of obituary references.
The obituary references will pay tribute to the late former prime minister Khaleda Zia, the martyrs of the July movement, and various eminent national and international figures.
