United News of Bangladesh

A probe committee has been formed to investigate the sound system disruption that occurred during the maiden session of the 13th Parliament . The decision was taken at a meeting of a parliamentary committee titled House Committee on Saturday. Briefing reporters after the meeting Chief Whip Nurul Islam said the committee has been asked to submit its report by April 3. The inaugural sitting of the 13th Parliament on March 12 had to be suspended due to malfunctioning audio equipment. Concerns over the issue persisted the following day with lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury criticising the quality of headphones and the overall sound system. The Chief Whip said the issue was discussed in detail and an inquiry committee has been formed under the leadership of the Sergeant-at-Arms of Parliament. “We suspect that there may have been real sabotage. At the same time, we have invited experts from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) to examine the technical faults in the sound system,” he said. He added that the committee will look into two key aspects  whether any sabotage was involved and what technical problems caused the disruption along with recommendations for solutions. Responding to a question, he acknowledged widespread dissatisfaction with the headphones. “Everyone has complained including myself. These oversized headphones are uncomfortable — they heat up the head and ears. They will be replaced,” he said. The meeting also discussed accommodation and medical facilities of Members of Parliament. The Chief Whip said efforts are underway to ensure that most MPs receive housing facilities, while ministers, state ministers, the Speaker, and other senior officials already have designated residences. He further said necessary procurement processes will be expedited with allocations expected to be completed by April 10. The parliamentary committee is scheduled to meet again on March 30. On March 12, the sitting suffered a hick-up at the beginning of the new Speaker’s tenure due to the technical glitch. After the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker followed by the oath taking ceremonies, the session started at 12:57pm of that day. But the microphone of the Speaker did not work that caused an awkward situation. After repeated attempt to fix the issue, the Speaker was given a separate cordless microphone to speak. When the Speaker started to talk, at that point a jamaat MP elected from Dhaka-12 Md Saiful Alam noticed the issue to the Speaker and said that the MPs are not hearing anything.

The sitting of 1st session of the 13th Parliament has been adjourned till 3:00 pm on March 29. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad made the announcement at 2:59 pm on Sunday. The first session of the Jatiya Sangsad commenced on Thursday last. Special committee in parliament to review 133 ordinances by Apr 2

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Thursday nominated a five-member panel of chairmen for the first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.The panel members are Mirja Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Goyasawar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Md Manirul Haque Chowdhury, and ATM Azharul Islam. They will preside over parliamentary proceedings in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

The formal session of the 13th Parliament suffered a hiccup at the beginning of the new Speaker’s tenure due to a technical glitch, but the afternoon call to prayer (Zohr) saved him from further embarrassments. After the election of Speaker Hafizuddin Ahmad and Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal followed by their oath-taking ceremonies, the session started at 12:57pm. But the Speaker's microphone was found to be not working, leading to an awkward situation. After repeated attempts to fix the issue, the Speaker was handed a microphone to speak. As Speaker Hafizuddin Ahmad started to talk, Md Saiful Alam, an opposition MP elected from Dhaka-12, drew the attention of the Speaker and communicated to him that the MPs were still unable to hear anything in their earpieces, although he was audible on television. “After 17 years, we finally have an effective Parliament, it will take some time to fix everything,” Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said wryly. Right around then, the Zohr call to prayer started and the newly elected speaker promptly called for a prayer break declaring the session will start again after 20 minutes.

Senior BNP leader Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikrom and MP Barrister Kayser Kamal on Thursday took oath as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively of the 13th Parliament. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath while Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was also present. At the end of the ceremony, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker signed the oath book. At the outset of the maiden session of the newly formed Parliament, MPs first elected Hafiz Uddin, six-time parliamentarian and Liberation War Affairs Minister in the new cabinet, as the Speaker of the 13th parliament and then first-time MP Barrister Kayser Kamal as the Deputy Speaker.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday sought support and cooperation from people and Members of Parliament (MPs)  including those from the opposition to transform Bangladesh into a self-reliant, prosperous, safe and democratic country. “Our political goal is to make every family self-reliant. Through making every family self-reliant, BNP wants to establish a self-reliant, prosperous, secure and democratic Bangladesh,” he said while delivering his welcome speech at the outset of the maiden session of the 13th Parliament. The Prime Minister said to achieve the goal he seeks the support and cooperation of democracy-loving people of the country. “In this great National Parliament, I also expect the support and cooperation of every elected Member of Parliament from all parties,” he added. Tarique Rahman said he believes that political parties, opinions and programmes may differ.“But there can be no disagreement among us when it comes to establishing an independent, sovereign, secure and self-reliant Bangladesh free from subservience and fascism. There is no conflict on that.” Instead of making the National Parliament the centre of national activities, he alleged that the ousted fascist Awami League government had rendered the parliament ineffective. “We want to transform this great National Parliament into the central forum for reasoned discussion, debate and the resolution of national problems,” the Prime Minister added. Tarique said he was elected for the first time as a Member of Parliament from the BNP and was also elected Leader of the House. “Although I represent my party in the National Parliament, as Prime Minister I represent the country in this Parliament. Regardless of party, opinion, religion or ethnicity, I represent the people of the country. My politics is the politics of protecting the interests of the country and its people,” he added.  The Prime Minister said the politics of the BNP is focused on improving people’s living standards and building a self-reliant Bangladesh. Addressing fellow Members of Parliament, the Prime Minister recalled the sacrifices of countless people who suffered under fascism and those who gave their lives for the country’s freedom and democracy. He also paid tribute to mothers who lost their children, families bereaved of loved ones, and those who endured torture, harassment, or false charges, recognising their contributions to Bangladesh’s struggle for democracy. The Prime Minister honoured the country’s brave citizens—from students, farmers, workers, teachers, poets, writers, journalists, doctors, engineers, and lawyers to rickshaw pullers, businesspeople, public and private employees, and homemakers—whose courage and determination could not be broken by violence, harassment, or oppression. He congratulated these democracy-loving heroes for helping restore democracy as the 13th National Parliament begins its journey. “After years of struggle—from the 1971 Liberation War to the 2024 fight to protect the country and its people—we are starting a new journey today. I thank Allah for enabling us to take this path towards a just, democratic, and humane Bangladesh,” Tarique said. The Prime Minister also paid heartfelt tribute to the late Prime Minister and his mother, Khaleda Zia, who founded and institutionalised parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh. Despite years of oppression and attempts to undermine democratic institutions, he said, she fought tirelessly to restore the people’s rights and uphold justice. “She never compromised with dictatorship or fascists in her life. From today, the journey of long-awaited parliamentary democracy begins again. Alhamdulillah. Khaleda Zia could not witness this moment of success for the country and its people. Today, standing in this National Parliament, we pay deep respect to the late Khaleda Zia, a remarkable, admirable, and exemplary leader, in the interest of the country and its people,” Tarique said. He reminded MPs of a statement by BNP founder Ziaur Rahman that the people’s interest must come before the interests of any individual or political party. “This is the essence of BNP’s politics.” Rahman also referred to the absence of the previous Speaker and Deputy Speaker at the inaugural session, highlighting the long-term impact of authoritarian rule.   In this context, he proposed veteran politician and five-time MP Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain to preside over the House in line with constitutional and parliamentary rules. He concluded by warmly welcoming and greeting all Members of Parliament in the maiden session of the 13th Parliament. Earlier, the 13th Parliament began its five-year journey with its first session, just a month after the February 12 general election, raising public expectations for a vibrant and effective legislature with the presence of a genuine opposition in the House after 12 years. The maiden session of the newly formed parliament began at 11:05am with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome speech from the Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. In his welcome speech, the Prime Minister nominated veteran parliamentarian Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain to temporarily preside over the House for the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker by Members of Parliament.

The 13th Parliament is set to start its five-year journey with its first session on Thursday morning, just one month on from the February 12 general election. Unlike in the past however, the first session of the new parliament is going to begin with the Chair of Speaker vacant as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are currently unavailable. At the outset of the session, Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will deliver a welcome speech and nominate the name of a senior member of parliament to temporarily chair the House before election to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker by Members of Parliament. BNP wants effective, vibrant parliament: Chief Whip Following their elections, the session is likely to be adjourned for some time and the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker will take oath. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath. Then the session will resume with the newly elected Speaker or Deputy Speaker in the chair. In the first-day sitting of the session, a condolence motion will be placed, expressing profound grief at the death of three-time prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, former MPs and other noted personalities. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will also deliver his speech in the House on Thursday. A meeting of the BNP Parliamentary Party chaired by Tarique Rahman was held at the ruling party’s meeting room at Sangsad Bhaban, a day before the maiden session of the 13th parliament. BNP MPs to attend parliamentary party meeting Wednesday Following the meeting, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that the prime minister will nominate a senior BNP lawmaker to temporarily preside over the House as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are currently unavailable. “Since the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are not available, the leader of the House will announce who will preside over the House. Then the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker will be elected,” he said, outlining the tentative procedure of the first day business of the maiden session. After their election, the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker will take oath. “The President (Mohammed Shahabuddin) will administer the oath to them as per the rules of procedure of Parliament, " he said. Salahuddin said then the House will sit again and the panel of chairmen for the first session of Parliament will be announced. Then a condolence motion will be placed and discussion on the motion will be held, he added. The Law Minister will place 133 ordinances (seeking endorsement of parliament) and several parliamentary committees such as the business advisory committee of parliament will be elected, he said. “Then the President will deliver the speech in the House,” said Salahuddin Ahmed. The first meeting of the business advisory committee is likely to be held the following day and the session is most likely to be adjourned after another sitting on March 15, he said. 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. Meanwhile, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Wednesday 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 after a meeting of BNP’s parliamentary party. 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. 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 will mark 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.

The newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) will take oath on Tuesday morning, while the new cabinet members will be sworn in later in the afternoon. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will administer the oath to the newly elected MPs at 10am at Parliament, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly told UNB on Saturday night. He said President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the cabinet members at 4pm at the South Plaza of Parliament. Tarique pledges justice, seeks unity to build ‘safe, humane Bangladesh’ As per the rules, following the swearing-in of the MPs, a meeting of the Parliamentary Board of the party that secured the majority will be held to elect its parliamentary leader. The party leader will then meet the President and inform him that the party commands an absolute majority in Parliament, formally seeking appointment as the head of government. The President will appoint the party leader as Prime Minister, who will subsequently select members of the cabinet.  The President will administer the oath first to the Prime Minister, followed by the ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers. After the oath-taking ceremony, the Cabinet Division will issue a notification allocating the portfolios. Convincing people was BNP’s ‘engineering’, says Tarique Rahman Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are underway, Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid told reporters at the Secretariat on Saturday.  “Around 1,000 guests are expected to be invited to the ceremony,” he added. The 13th national election was held on Thursday, alongside a referendum. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats in the election.