The newly elected members of the Bangladesh Parliament are scheduled to take oath on Tuesday. As 299 members of parliament are set to be sworn in for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament), uncertainty remains as to whether members will be sworn in for a second term as members of the proposed Constitutional Reform Council, Prothom Alo reported.
Bangladesh Nationalist Dal (BNP) Chairman Tariq Rahman shows a victory sign during a press conference, following the BNP’s victory in the 13th general election, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reuters/Mohammed Paneer Hussain (Reuters)Bangladeshi voters voted twice on February 12 to elect Tariq Rahman’s BNP with a two-thirds majority and vote “yes” in a referendum on implementing a reform package.
The referendum on the complex 84-point reform package, also known as the July National Charter, received a clear majority with 60.26 percent participation.
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Parliament of Bangladesh has completed preparations for swearing in newly elected representatives and appointing Tariq Rahman’s cabinet.
But questions remain over the formation of a constitutional reform council to implement the proposals in the July National Charter. Among many other things, the referendum curtailed the powers of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, including his terms, role and power to declare a state of national emergency. It also includes provisions such as a bicameral parliament, the abolition of powers that prevent MPs from voting against their own party, and a greater role for the opposition.
When will the constitutional reform council be formed?Multiple sources of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party told Prothom Alo that the party thinks it is appropriate to abide by the existing constitution.
The current law only provides for the swearing-in of members of parliament and makes no mention of the Constitutional Reform Council.
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The BNP leaders argued that the Constitution Reform Council will be sworn in only if it is included in the constitution.
The party reportedly questioned the legal basis of the July charter implementation order from the start.
The implementing order states that after a “yes” referendum,
A Constitutional Reform Council will be formed which will consist of members of Parliament elected in the 13th National Assembly elections.
Parliament Secretary Kaniz Mawla said that the newly elected MPs are scheduled to take two oaths on February 17, suggesting that they take oath in the Constitutional Reform Council.
However, according to BNP sources, there was no indication of a second oath. According to party sources, the elected 209 MPs may refuse to take oath for the second time.
In the case of rejection, the formation of the Council and the implementation of the July Charter remained in limbo.
