United News of Bangladesh

Newly elected MPs are set to take oath as members of the 13th parliament and also the Constitution Reform Council on Tuesday. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will administer the oath in line with the Constitution as the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament are currently vacant. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the oath-taking room of the Jatiya Sangsad.   BNP’s MPs-elect will take oath at 10am, while those of Jamaat-e-Islami will do so at 12pm, said Parliament Secretariat Secretary Kaniz Moula. “Both oaths of the elected MPs as members of parliament and as members of the Constitution Reform Council will be held at a time (the same event),” she told UNB on Monday evening. Besides, the Election Commission on Monday wrote to the Parliament Secretariat asking to take necessary measures as the Chief Election Commissioner will administer the oath of newly elected members of the 13th parliament and also members of the Constitution Reform Council at 10am on Tuesday. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed wrote the letter to the Secretary of Parliament Secretariat. However, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday raised constitutional concerns regarding the oath of the Constitution Reform Council, casting uncertainty over whether such an oath can legally be administered now. DMP issues traffic guidelines for oath-taking ceremony “If the Constitutional Reform Council is incorporated into the Constitution through an amendment, and if a specific oath format is included in the Third Schedule of the Constitution with a designated authority to administer that oath—only after all these conditions are met could such a process take place,” he said. While the Third Schedule of the Constitution specifies the oaths for various offices, including that of Members of Parliament, it does not mention any oath for members of a Constitution Reform Council, he said. Responding to questions from journalists, Salahuddin Ahmed, also a newly elected MP, said the constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission is to conduct the national parliamentary and presidential elections. Officials at the Parliament Secretariat said newly elected MPs will sign the oath book and provide fingerprints, images and digital signatures for preparation of their digital identity cards following the ceremony. The 13th parliamentary election and referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025 were held on Thursday last (February 12) in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies amid festivity and peaceful atmosphere. On Friday last, the EC published a gazette of 297 elected MP candidates. The election results of two other constituencies – Chattogram-2 and 4-- were withheld as per the court orders. Besides, the election to Sherpur-3 was earlier cancelled following the death of a contesting candidate. But BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has left Bogura-6 seat for by-election as he is set to take oath as a member of parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency. In the election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68. Besides, National Citizen Party-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. So, the BNP-led electoral alliance sealed victory in a total of 212 constituencies, while the Jamaat-led electoral alliance won in 77 constituencies. According to the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025, a Constitution Reform Council shall be formed with the representatives elected in the general election, which could apply all authorities related to the constitutional reform. The representatives elected in the election shall act as the members of the parliament and also members of the Council simultaneously. The Constitution Reform Council shall complete the implementation of the July National Charter and the Constitutional Reforms in line with the mandate gained through the referendum within 180 working days since the formation of the council and then the tenure of the council will end immediately. The Order also states that the authority entitled to administer the oath of MPs will likewise administer the oath of members of the Constitution Reform Council. According to the Constitution, newly elected MPs must take their oath, typically administered by the Speaker within three days of the gazette notification. Due to the resignation/absence of the 12th Parliament Speaker, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) or a President-nominated person will administer the oath. Maldives' President, FM to join oath-taking ceremony The Article 148 (2A) states, ”If, within three days next after publication through official Gazette of the result of a general election of members of Parliament under clause (3) of article 123, the person specified under the Constitution for the purpose or such other person designated by that person for the purpose, is unable to, or does not, administer oath to the newly elected members of Parliament, on any account, the Chief Election Commissioner shall administer such oath within three days next thereafter, as if, he is the person specified under the Constitution for the purpose.” Tenures of all Parliaments The tenure of first parliament was from 07-04-1973 to 06-11-1975 (2 years 6 months and 30 days), the second parliament from 02-04-1979 to 24-03-1982 (2 years 11 months 22 days), the third parliament from 10-07-1986 to 06-12-1987 (1 year 4 months 26 days), the fourth parliament from 15-04-1988 to 06-01-1990 (1 year 8 months 22 days), the fifth parliament from  05-04-1991 to 24-11-1995 (4 years 7 months 19 days), the sixth parliament from 19-03-1996 to 30-03-1996 (11 days),  the seventh parliament from 14-07-1996 to 13-07-2001 (4 years 11 months 29 days), the eight parliament from 28-10-2001 to 27-10-2006 (4 years 11 months 29 days), the ninth parliament from 25-01-2009 to 24-01-2014 (4 years 11 months 30 days), the 10th parliament from 19-01-2014 to 28-01-2019 (5 years 9 days), the 11th parliament from 30-01-2019 to 06-01-2024 (4 years 11 months 7 days) and the 12th parliament from 10-01-2024  to 06-08-2024 (6 months 27 days).

As the process of forming the 13th Jatiya Sangsad gets underway following the national election, public attention has once again turned to the state privileges enjoyed by members of parliament (MPs). The Election Commission (EC) has published the two gazette notifications of the 297 newly elected members of parliament elected to the 13th Parliament as well as the referendum results. The two gazettes were issued on Friday night by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. The process for administering the oath to the newly elected lawmakers will now be arranged. Amid this process, the focus has shifted to the wide range of financial benefits, facilities, and special entitlements provided to lawmakers under existing laws. According to official rules, an MP is entitled not only to a monthly salary but also to multiple state-funded allowances and privileges, as outlined in the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, 1973, and its subsequent amendments. These benefits cover allowances, transport, healthcare, travel, insurance, office expenses and telecommunications. MPs’ Benefits Monthly Salary and Allowances: Basic Salary-Tk 55,000, Constituency allowance-Tk12,500 entertainment allowance-Tk 5,000, transport allowance-Tk 70,000 (including fuel, vehicle maintenance, and driver’s salary), office expense allowance-Tk 15,000, laundry allowance-Tk 1,500, miscellaneous allowance-Tk 6,000. Vehicle Facilities Duty-free import of a car, jeep, or microbus, exempt from customs, VAT, and taxes, access to import a new vehicle under the same scheme after five years, travel Allowances Air, rail, or water travel: 1.5 times the highest class fare, road travel: per-kilometre allowance and domestic travel-Tk120,000 annual travel allowance or travel pass Daily Allowances While on duty daily allowance Tk 750, travel allowance Tk 75. Gazettes of newly elected MPs, referendum results published Attendance at parliamentary or committee sessions: daily allowance Tk 800, travel allowance Tk 200 Medical Facilities Government-level medical care for MPs and their families include monthly medical allowance Tk 700 Insurance Government insurance of Tk 10 lakh in case of death or permanent disability while on duty Optional Grant Fund Up to Tk 5 lakh per year for discretionary use Telecommunication Facilities Official telephone connection at MPs’ residences and monthly telephone and call expenses Tk 7,800 Tax Benefits All allowances and benefits received by MPs are exempt from income tax. These provisions are aimed at supporting MPs in performing their legislative and constituency responsibilities efficiently.

Detectives have arrested nine leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies including a former Member of Parliament (MP) from Bagerhat-4 constituency in a drive in the capital. The arrestees are Amirul Alam Milon,70, Central Committee Member of Awami League and former MP of Bagerhat-4,  Kazi Md. Sarowar Jahan Mithu , Vice-President of Pallabi Thana Jubo League,  Md. Shafiqul Islam Dilu , Former Ward Commissioner of Ward-63, Jatrabari, Mohammad Taj Uddin 35, Vice-President of Shah Ali Thana Awami League,  Ismail Hossain Pradhania  and General Secretary of Ramna Thana Swechchhasebak League, Md. Mokhlesur Rahman (72), Chairman of Chapainawabganj Municipality and Vice-President of the district’s Awami League. Chinmoy Das shown arrested in 4 more cases in Ctg Md. Emran Goldar, Publicity Secretary of Bangshal Thana Awami League, Mohammad Tanvir Ahmed Ontu, Former President of banned Chhatra League’s Ward-62 unit,  and Aritra Nandi, Joint General Secretary of the banned Chhatra League’s Jagannath Hall unit at Dhaka University. Based on secret information, severel DB teams conducted drives in the capital from 6:00am on Monday to 6:00am on  Tuesday and arrested the nine people, said DC (media) of DMP Talebur Rahman.  According to DB sources, Amirul Alam Milon was arrested at 11:45 pm on Monday  from the Indira Road area and others from separate places. DB officials said the arrestees attempted to destabilise the country. Legal proceedings against the arrestees are underway.

Police in a drive arrested former MP of Kishoreganj-5 constituency (Bajitpur) Afzal Hossain from Meherpur district town on Monday. Tipped off, a team of police conducted a drive in Clinicpara of the district town and arrested Afzal from the house of Mamun Hossain, a staff of Afzal Shoes, owned by Afzal, said Mezbah Uddin, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station. Sources said former MP Afzal was scheduled to go to India through Sonapur border in Mujibnagar upazila early Monday and for this, he had contracted a huge amount of money to a gang on the border.      

Chattogram Customs House has set January 21 to auction more than 100 vehicles, including 31 high-end cars imported by former members of parliament (MPs) from the ousted Awami League government, who had benefited from duty-free privileges. “These vehicles will be put up for auction on January 21 due to delays in having them released from the port,” Md Sakib Hossain, assistant commissioner at Chattogram Customs House, told UNB on Wednesday. Titas Gas disconnects illegal lines of Manikganj washing factory He said over 900 imported cars are currently being held at various locations, including the Chattogram Port car shed, and will be auctioned because of delays in clearance. “Legal complications had prevented earlier auctions, resulting in congestion at port facilities.” Despite notices being sent to the owners to settle their dues, there has been no response, particularly from former MPs whose cars were imported under the privileged scheme. Among the 100 vehicles to be auctioned are 31 Land Cruisers, which were imported under the MP quota over various periods. The reserve price for these luxury cars is set at Tk 9.5 crore each, representing 60% of their estimated value. With additional VAT and taxes, the expected total revenue from these 31 vehicles is estimated to be at least Tk 221 crore. Other vehicles to be auctioned include five Toyota Harriers, 13 Havals, and a range of Toyota Premio, Noah, and Rav-4, among others. The inventory for the auction has been finalised, and officials are targeting total revenue of Tk 400 crore from the sale. Following the initiation of the auction process, the owners of 31 cars have cleared their dues by paying fines. However, no former MP has yet responded to settle their vehicles. ACC sues Shamim Osman, wife, brother-in-law Md Saidul Islam, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Customs House, said that the inventory for the auction is complete, with at least 50 car values determined. However, around 300 cars left in open sheds at the port have deteriorated due to prolonged delays. Yakub Chowdhury, general secretary of the Chattogram Customs Bidders Association, mentioned that, in addition to the cars, the Customs House will also sell 30 cement mixer machines and 10 dump trucks that have been stored in the Chattogram Port car shed for a long time.

Police have arrested former Dhaka-10 Awami League MP Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin from his residence in Dhaka’s Uttara on Wednesday evening. A team of Uttara West Police Station raided his house in Sector-4 around 6:00 pm and arrested him, said Officer-in-charge (OC) of Uttara Police Station Hafizur Rahman. Shamsul Haque Tuku sent to jail in extortion case Mohiuddin was wanted in a case filed at the police station in connection with Anti-discrimination Student Movement. Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin was elected from Dhaka-10 constituency by-election in 2020. He was the former president of FBCCI and BGMEA.

The ruling Awami League announced the names of the nominated candidates for the reserved women's seats in the 12th Parliament. AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced the names of 48 candidates after the Parliamentary Nomination Board meeting held in Ganabhaban on Wednesday afternoon. BNP to remain dysfunctional without change in leadership: Hasan Mahmud The nominees are Rezia Islam-Panchgarh, Droupadi Devi Agarwar-Thakurgaon, Ashika Sultana-Nilphamari, Rokeya Sultana-Joypurhat, Kohli Quddus-Natore, Zebin Mahbub-Chapainawabganj, Runu Reza-Khulna, Farida Akhtar-Bagerhat, Farzana Sumi-Barguna, Khaleda Bahan-Bhola , Nazneen Nahar-Patuakhali, Farida Yasmin-Narsingdi, Umme Farzana-Mymensingh, Nadia Binte Amin-Netrokona, Mahfuza Sultana Molly-Joypurhat, Parveen Zaman Kalpana-Jhenaidah, Aroma Dutta- Cumilla, Laila Parveen-Satkhira,  Begum Mannizaman Sufian-Khulna, Badhura Ahmed Salam-Gopalganj, Shabnam Jahan-Dhaka, Parul Akhtar-Dhaka, Sabera Begum-Dhaka, Shammi Ahmed-Barishal, Nahid Izhar-Dhaka, Jharna Hassan-Faridpur, Fazilatunnessa-Munshiganj, Sahida Tarikh Dipti-Dhaka, Anima Mukti Gomez -Dhaka, Sheikh Anarkali-Dhaka, Masuda Siddique Rozi-Narsingdi, Tarana Halim-Tangail, Begum Shamsunnahar-Tangail, Meher Afroz Chumki-Gazipur, Aparajita-Tangail, Hasina Bari Chowdhury-Dhaka, Najma Akhtar-Gopalganj, Aruna Chakraborty-Sylhet, Faridur Nahar Laili-Laxmipur, Ashrafun Nessa-Laxmipur, Kanan Ara Begum-Noakhali, Shamima Haroon Lubna-Chattogram, Farida Khanam-Noakhali, Delara Yusuf-Chattogram, Wasika Ayesha-Chattogram, Darthi-Rangamati, Sanjida Khanam-Dhaka, Nasima Zaman- Rangpur. BNP's program is nothing but restarting an old car: Foreign Minister There are 50 reserved seats for women in Parliament, allocated in a manner where each political party receives one reserved seat for every six general seats won. According to the provision, the AL secured 48 seats based on its own and its independents' support. The sale of application forms for the reserved seats began on 6 February at the party's Bangabandhu Avenue central office. Quader anxious to restore party unity ahead of important AL meeting The AL sold 1,553 nomination forms for its 48 reserved women's seats. Obaidul Quader said that they will submit the nomination to the Returning Commissioner of the Election Commission on February 18.

Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon, who has been elected as an independent candidate from Habiganj-4 constituency, said that he will protest corruption and speak up for the oppressed in the Parliament, the same way he has been doing so far. He said this after taking oath as an MP at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at 11:30 am today (January 10, 2024). Also read: Barrister Sumon crushes incumbent state minister for civil aviation and tourism “My role will remain the same as before. Protesting against corruption, speaking up for oppressed people and realising Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla,” Barrister Sumon said. When asked what challenges he might face, he said, “Not one or two. No one wants to work in Bangladesh. Still, if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina considers me, I will be able to do a lot of work,” he said. Also read: Newly elected MPs are sworn in by Speaker “You’re only an MP for five years. If I perform poorly, people will throw me out,” he said. Barrister Sumon thinks that he has been given a responsibility by the people for five years.

Distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Professor Dr. Mustafizur Rahman has said that the government and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) should investigate how the assets of MPs have increased manifold. He said this at a view exchange meeting on the contemporary economic situation of Bangladesh organized by the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) at Paltan in the capital today (Tuesday). The CPD fellow said, “I was surprised to see the rate of increase in wealth in the affidavits of the candidates in the 12th parliament elections. Where a plot of land costs Tk 1.0 crore; shown taka one lakh.” Even then, wealth increases hundreds of times, then what is the real picture? “Seeing this, it is not clear how much wealth has actually increased,” Prof Mustafiz raised question. Hasan Mahmud tears into CPD: 'Not genuine research' He said that in the affidavit of the candidates, the properties of many have increased hundreds of times. It is interesting to see how such a huge amount of wealth has grown in such a short time. “Those properties have increased so much, the government and their party should ask to know the source of these properties. At the same time, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) should find the source of their assets,” said Prof Mustfiz. He said that mismanagement of the banking sector, corruption, money laundering, everything is created by a 'dishonest cycle’. He said that defaulted loans are increasing, and some banks have also fallen into disaster due to providing aggressive loans. “It is Bangladesh Bank’s main responsibility to control this. They should be allowed to work independently either state or anyone can't interfere here, this must be ensured by the state,” he said. Over Tk 92,000 crore siphoned from banking sector via scams since 2008: CPD “Now the issue of merger of financially weak banks has been mentioned many times before. For this, legal weaknesses and regulations need to be fixed. Because the banking sector is the blood of the economy. The problem of this sector falls on the whole economy,” he pointed out. He said that a large amount of money has to be provisioned by the bank against default. This means that the money is not able to participate in the economy, it is lying in the bank. “By this, the bank's ability to give loans is decreasing and the income is decreasing,” he added. Dr. Mustafiz said that suppose banks are paying interest against a deposit of Tk100, but the bank is able to give a loan of Tk80 out of Tk100. That means the loan interest rate has to increase, this again affects investment. Regarding US sanctions, he said, America imposes trade restrictions (sanctions) for their own benefit. “If necessary, contracts with countries like Venezuela. Therefore, it should be emphasized that they do not get the opportunity to sanction without paying attention to whether they will sanction or not. We must ensure the wages and rights of our workers,” he suggested. Govt acting against clean energy transition, increasing dependency on coal and LNG: CPD “The government has brought the garment industry to this level by providing various facilities. The world market of clothing is $700 billion. We have export potential. There is no other sector as big as this. Exports need to be diversified, go to new markets.” There is still an opportunity to occupy a large part of this market, for that Bangladesh needs to modernize more. He suggested emphasizing the export of the leather sector and pharmaceuticals. The global markets have a potential future for those products. ERF’s general secretary Abul Kashem moderated the program while President Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha presided over it.

The incumbent Members of Parliament who want to run as independent candidates do not need to resign from their positions, the Election Commission (EC) said on Wednesday. Nomination submission deadline looms at EC The EC clarified the issue in a press release on Wednesday after Election Commissioner Rashida Sultana said current MPs who want to run as independent candidates must step down from their current positions - a statement that created confusion in political arena. Now CEC says election can be rescheduled if BNP decides to join Independent candidates must submit their nomination papers along with a list of signatures from 1% of the total voters in their constituencies, said the release. However, if they have been a Member of Parliament before, they do not need to submit this list, said the release. 7 inc. Law Minister seek AL nomination from Brahmanbaria-4 constituency