12th parliament starts functioning today

The 12th parliament will go into its maiden session from 3pm today, according to the website of the House.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin convened the parliament session exercising his power bestowed upon him as per clause (1) of article 72 of the constitution,said a press release of the parliament secretariat on January 15.

It came as the country went into the 12 general election on January 7. The elected members of the 12th parliament took their oaths three days later.

However, according to the law, it was not possible to convene a parliamentary session before today. This is because the first session of the 11th parliament was held on January 30, 2019, and the term of that parliament ends on January 29 as per the law.

In the first session of the parliament, the speaker and deputy speaker will be elected.

However, the ruling Awami League has nominated Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury for the speaker‍‍`s position and Shamsul Haque Tuku for the deputy speaker‍‍`s position. With a clear majority, the Awami League nominees are expected to win these positions.

As per the constitution, the president gives a speech in the first session of the year and the first session following an election.