Newly elected MPs, cabinet, Constitution Reform Council to take oath today

Highlights

• CEC to administer the oath of MPs
• President to conduct swearing in of cabinet
• Ceremony to take place at South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban 
• Official bungalows and apartments prepared for new cabinet members
• MPs to take separate oath as members of Constitution Reform Council

The members of parliament elected in the 13th National Parliamentary Election will take their oath today. At the same time, the BNP – which secured more than a two-thirds majority – will form the government, and members of the new cabinet will also be sworn in.

The outgoing interim government has taken extensive preparations for the occasion. The oath-taking ceremony will be held in two phases at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The event is being regarded as the start of a new chapter in the country's democratic continuity.

Sources at the Parliament Secretariat and the Cabinet Division said the first phase of the ceremony will be held in the morning at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban when elected MPs will take their oath. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin will administer the oath.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani told journalists yesterday that preparations have also been made for MPs to take a separate oath as members of a "Constitution Reform Council".

The council will carry out reforms in the Constitution in accordance with the July Charter.

However, the BNP lawmakers may not take separate oath as members of Constitution Reform Council. 

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told journalists at BNP Chairperson's political office in Dhaka's Gulshan yesterday that such an oath could take place after constitutional amendments are finalised.

He later told BBC Bangla, "As the speaker and deputy speaker are unavailable, the CEC possesses the constitutional authority to administer the oath of office to the newly elected MPs. But, he does not have the legal jurisdiction to administer an oath for the proposed Constitutional Reform Council."

For the first time, the main oath ceremony is being held at the open South Plaza of the Parliament complex – a move seen as symbolically significant. Analysts view the event as marking the beginning of a new political culture. The July Charter was signed here earlier. The funeral prayer of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Usman Hadi was also held at this venue, as was the janaza of Khaleda Zia.

In the afternoon, the second phase will see the new cabinet members taking oath before the president. According to the Constitution, the president administers the oath to the prime minister and other ministers. The current president, Mohammed Shahabuddin – appointed during Sheikh Hasina's regime – will formally inaugurate the new administration. Immediately after the oath, the cabinet will become functional, and the Secretariat will begin operating under the new government.

Public Works Adviser of the interim government Adilur Rahman said official residences for new ministers are being prepared. Administrative sources said preparations at the Secretariat, the Prime Minister's Office, and key ministries are nearly complete.

Yesterday, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani told journalists that multiple coordination meetings had been held to ensure smooth completion of the ceremony, and special cells were formed for security, protocol, and hosting foreign guests.

Around 12,000 guests, both domestic and foreign, are expected to attend. Invitations have been extended to diplomats, representatives of international organisations, business leaders, civil society members, and political figures.

Temporary stages, VVIP galleries, post-oath reception areas, media corners, and security perimeters have been set up at the South Plaza. Overall, a grand event has been arranged.

During a visit to the Parliament area yesterday, around 100 workers were seen in the afternoon making arrangements, cleaning, and decorating the stage. Alongside security and beautification efforts, BNP representatives were also seen coordinating with the government officials.

During his inspection, BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie told journalists that the party was especially enthusiastic about hosting the ceremony in an open setting for the first time.

Referring to the people's mandate as a trust, he said: "There will be a patriotic government, fully a people's government. Upon taking responsibility, we will honour and safeguard this trust with respect and dignity. We are working and will continue to work under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, InshaAllah."

He added that implementation of the July Charter would be discussed in parliament and would not be difficult to carry out.

New cabinet

Discussions are ongoing about the size of the new cabinet. Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman said 37 residences have been prepared – 36 for ministers and state ministers, and one for the prime minister. Of these, 24 are bungalows and 12 apartments, located on Bailey Road, Minto Road, and Hare Road – known as Dhaka's "ministerial zone". The prime minister's official residence has not yet been finalised and will be decided by the new government.

According to BNP sources, the cabinet may include a combination of experienced politicians, technocrats, and younger leaders. Party Chairperson Tarique Rahman is reportedly paying special attention to appointing competent and widely acceptable figures to key ministries such as finance, home affairs, foreign affairs, local government, and education.