BNP MPs begin arriving at parliament for swearing-in

Newly elected BNP lawmakers have begun arriving at the parliament complex ahead of their swearing-in ceremony.

Vehicles carrying the MPs started entering the complex from 9:00 am on Sunday. The oath ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 am, where Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will administer the oath, bdnews24.com reports.

As per parliamentary convention, the majority party takes oath first. With the BNP securing an absolute majority in the Feb 12 election, its MPs are being sworn in ahead of other parties.

Security has been tightened in and around the parliament complex for the occasion. Officials were seen checking national identity cards of the elected representatives before allowing entry.

The ceremony marks the BNP’s return to parliament after three consecutive terms -- a gap of 15 years.

The party boycotted the 2014 and 2024 elections and withdrew from the 2018 vote midway, alleging irregularities.

 Forhad Hossain Azad, one of the newly elected BNP lawmakers, described the moment as significant.

“I am stepping into parliament as a new member. This is a great achievement for me,” he said.

“I thank Allah for giving me the opportunity to represent the people. With the victory of the paddy sheaf, Bangladesh will move forward in a new way -- that is my expectation.”

Another BNP MP, Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury, said the occasion carried emotional weight for the party.

“After one and a half decades, under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, we are taking oath in this parliament,” he said.

“Fifteen years ago, we entered parliament under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia. Today is a major achievement for those of us who have been elected.”

In the Feb 12 parliamentary election, the BNP secured 209 of the 297 declared seats, winning an absolute majority. Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, emerging as the main opposition in the new parliament.