The 13th Parliament began its five-year journey with its first session on Thursday, just a month after the February 12 general election, raising public expectations for a vibrant and effective legislature with the presence of true opposition in the House after 12 years.
The maiden session of the newly formed parliament started at 11:05am with the recitation from the holy Quran, followed by a welcome speech from Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
However, unlike in the past, the first session of the new parliament began with the Speaker’s chair vacant as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker (of the previous 12th parliament) are currently unavailable.
At the outset of the session, Leader of the House Tarique Rahman, in his welcome speech, nominated veteran parliamentarian Khandaker Mosharref Hossain to preside over the House temporarily for the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker by Members of Parliament.
Following their elections, the sitting is likely to be adjourned briefly to allow the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker to take oath, which will be administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Then the sitting will resume with the newly elected Speaker or Deputy Speaker in the chair.
During the first-day sitting of the session, the panel of chairmen for the first session will be announced.
A condolence motion will be placed and discussed, expressing profound grief at the death of three-time prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, former MPs and other noted personalities.
The Law Minister is expected to place 133 ordinances in the House (seeking endorsement of parliament) and several parliamentary committees such as the business advisory committee of parliament will be formed.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin will deliver his speech in the House later in the day.
The maiden session is most likely to be adjourned after another sitting on March 15 (Sunday next) before the Eid-ul Fitr holidays.
Earlier on Wednesday, a meeting of the BNP Parliamentary Party chaired by Tarique Rahman was held at the ruling party’s meeting room at Sangsad Bhaban.
Following the meeting, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said the ruling party wants the 13th parliament to be effective and vibrant where problems will be resolved through discussion and debate.
“Our goal is to run an effective, vibrant and responsible parliament. We want an environment of constructive discussion, rational argument and healthy debate on national issues in parliament,” he said at a press briefing.
He said a member nominated by the Prime Minister will temporarily preside over the House.
The Chief Whip said the BNP Parliamentary Party (BPP) on Wednesday authorised the Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman to decide the candidates for the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 13th Parliament.
“We have entrusted the Leader of the House with the responsibility of deciding the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. He will take the decision, and we will know it tomorrow,” he said.
He said the proceedings of Thursday’s sitting will begin with the Speaker’s chair vacant. The session will start with recitation from the Holy Quran, he added.
After that, the Leader of the House will propose the name of a senior MP to preside over the sitting temporarily, which will be seconded by another MP. The nominated member will then preside over the session, said the Chief Whip.
Usually the first session of a new parliament begins with the Speaker of the previous parliament in chair and then the election of the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker is held.
Nurul Islam also said 133 ordinances promulgated during the tenure of the interim government will be placed before parliament on Thursday.
Replying to a question, the Chief Whip said the Prime Minister showed “great generosity” by offering the post of Deputy Speaker to the opposition.
“But we have not received any positive response from them so far. If we do, necessary steps will be taken accordingly,” he said.
On February 23 last, President Mohammed Shahabuddin summoned the first session of the new parliament under the powers conferred by Article 72(1) of the Constitution.
This session is both the inaugural sitting of the 13th Parliament and the first parliamentary session of 2026.
The parliamentary elections were held on February 12 last, with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) winning it with two-thirds majority.
The 13th parliamentary election was held in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies on February 12 as the election to Sherpur-3 constituency was postponed following the death of a candidate.
The Election Commission of Bangladesh published the gazette notification on February 13, declaring results for 297 seats.
In the 297 constituencies, BNP won in 209 parliamentary seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami in 68, NCP settled victory in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat.
Later, the newly elected MPs were sworn in on February 17 and Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath. BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, who was elected from two constituencies, took oath as MP from Dhaka-17 constituency, leaving Bogura-6 constituency for by-election.
According to Article 72(1) of the Constitution, Parliament must be summoned to meet within 30 days after the declaration of the results of polling at any general election.
The same article also states that unless sooner dissolved by the President, Parliament shall stand dissolved on the expiration of five years from the date of its first meeting. So, the five-year tenure of the 13th Parliament will officially commence with its first sitting on March 12.
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