Who Will Chair Opening Session of The 13th National parliament?

The first sitting of the Thirteenth National Parliament is scheduled to convene on 12 March, drawing significant public and political attention across the country. As preparations gather pace, one question has emerged as the focal point of discussion: who will preside over the inaugural session?

Under the Constitution of Bangladesh, the President is required to summon Parliament within thirty days of the publication of the general election results in the official gazette. In compliance with this constitutional obligation, the session has been fixed for 12 March. According to Salahuddin Ahmed, a Standing Committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and currently serving as Home Minister, a summary prepared by the National Parliament Secretariat will be forwarded to the President through the Prime Minister’s Office. Acting on the Prime Minister’s advice, the President will formally summon the House.

The opening day’s agenda is expected to include the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, nomination of a five-member panel of chairpersons, presentation of obituary motions, and the laying of ordinances promulgated during the tenure of the interim government. However, uncertainty surrounds the chairing of proceedings at the outset. The Speaker of the outgoing Twelfth Parliament has resigned, while the Deputy Speaker remains in custody, rendering both unable to preside.

According to the Rules of Procedure, if both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent, the President may nominate a member of Parliament to chair the sitting. A precedent exists from 1973, following the country’s first parliamentary elections, when a senior member was entrusted with presiding over the inaugural meeting through consensus between the treasury and opposition benches. Sources indicate that a similar arrangement may be pursued this time, with a seasoned and multiple-term legislator likely to assume the role temporarily.

The Leader of the Opposition and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman, has signalled that his party would extend full cooperation should the government take the initiative to ensure a smooth commencement. Opposition figures have emphasised the importance of preserving parliamentary dignity and strengthening democratic practice.

In accordance with constitutional provisions, President Mohammed Shahabuddin will deliver an address at the first session. The speech, approved by the Cabinet, is expected to outline the government’s policy priorities and legislative roadmap. The sitting will then be adjourned, with a motion of thanks to be debated in subsequent meetings.

Official gazette notifications confirm that results for 297 constituencies have been published. The distribution of seats is as follows:

With the Bangladesh Nationalist Party securing 209 seats, it has formed the government, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has emerged as a substantial opposition force with 68 seats. Analysts observe that the presence of a comparatively strong opposition may foster more rigorous debate and accountability than in previous parliaments. Many anticipate that discussions on pressing national issues will be more substantive, potentially enhancing the effectiveness and vibrancy of parliamentary proceedings in the months ahead.