BNP sought Parliament South Plaza venue for MPs’ swearing-in, says law advisor

The oath-taking ceremony for newly elected MPs and members of the cabinet will be held at the South Plaza of Parliament at the request of the BNP, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has said.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, Nazrul said members of parliament will take their oath at 10 am on Tuesday, bdnews24.com reports. 

“I believe the chief election commissioner will most likely administer the oath,” he said, adding that the BNP has informed authorities that it will elect its parliamentary party leader immediately after the swearing-in.

The cabinet is scheduled to take oath at 4 pm at the same venue, he said.

“As far as I know, the president will administer the oath to the cabinet members.”

Nazrul said invitations to the ceremony would be finalised by the Cabinet Division.

“To my knowledge, SAARC member states have been invited so far. Ministers from those countries have also been invited,” he said.

The adviser said the decision to hold the ceremony at the South Plaza carried symbolic significance.

“It was the BNP that expressed the desire to hold the oath at the South Plaza,” he said.

“I believe this Parliament is somewhat different. We have obtained this Parliament through the sacrifice of students and the public, through a mass uprising marked by great sacrifice, suffering and pain.”

He said the parliamentary complex has been the site of several significant events in recent months, including a programme related to the July Charter.

“For various reasons, the South Plaza is memorable for us,” Nazrul said.

He also noted that funeral prayers for former prime minister Khaleda Zia and political activist Osman Hadi were held near the Parliament complex.

“It carries multiple layers of significance,” he added, describing the site as having become a venue for publishing documentation related to the July Uprising.