United News of Bangladesh

BNP MPs-elect have taken oath as only members of the 13th parliament, not as members of the Constitution Reform Council on Tuesday morning. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath at 10:43am in line with the Constitution as the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament are currently vacant. Parliament Secretariat Secretary Kaniz Moula conducted the oath-taking ceremony at 10:43am at the oath-taking room of the Jatiya Sangsad.  Jamaat MPs-elect is scheduled to be sworn in at 12pm at the same place. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman's wife, Zubaida Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman were present at the oath-taking ceremony. Now the newly elected MPs signed 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 left Bogura-6 seat for by-election, taking 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. BNP to hold parliamentary party meeting after oath Tuesday 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.

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).

Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury on Sunday (December 28, 2025) took oath as the 26th Chief Justice of Bangladesh. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at Bangabhaban at 10:30am on Sunday. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, among others, attended the oath-takig ceremony. Earlier, on December 23, President Shahabuddin appointed him as the new Chief Justice. On Saturday, Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed retired from his post.  Read more: 'No law can safeguard freedom if minds are corrupted': Chief Justice in farewell address Born on May 18, 1961, Justice Zubayer is the son of the late AFM Abdur Rahman Chowdhury, who also served as a judge of the Supreme Court. Obtaining LLB (Honours) and LLM degrees from the University of Dhaka, he did a master’s degree from the United Kingdom on international law. He started his career as a lawyer in the district judges’ court in 1985 and at the High Court (HC) in 1987. On August 27, 2003, he was appointed as an additional judge of the HC Division, with his position made permanent two years later. Read more: Justice Zubayer Rahman made Bangladesh's new Chief Justice President Shahabuddin appointed him as a justice of the Appellate Division on August 12, 2024, and he took oath the following day, on August 13.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has appointed Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury as the 26th Chief Justice of Bangladesh. According to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on Tuesday (December 23, 2025), President Shahabuddin made the appointment exercising his power following Article 95 (1) of the Constitution. Justice Zubayer is scheduled to take oath as the new Chief Justice on December 28. Read more: Violent clash over char capture in Hatiya leaves five dead The appointment follows the imminent retirement of the current 25th Chief Justice, Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, whose retirement takes effect on December 27. Born on May 18, 1961, Justice Zubayer is the son of the late AFM Abdur Rahman Chowdhury, who also served as a judge of the Supreme Court. Obtaining LLB (Honours) and LLM degrees from the University of Dhaka, he did a master’s degree from the United Kingdom on international law. He started his career as a lawyer in the district judges’ court in 1985 and at the High Court (HC) in 1987. On August 27, 2003, he was appointed as an additional judge of the HC Division, with his position made permanent two years later. Read more: Judiciary must see constitutional changes as reality, not threat: CJ Syed Refaat President Shahabuddin appointed him as a justice of the Appellate Division on August 12, 2024, and he took oath the following day, on August 13.

The Council of Advisers of the interim government is set to be expanded today (Sunday), with new members expected to take oath later in the evening. "Yes, it's getting expanded. But I can't tell you the number at this moment," a senior official of the interim government told UNB. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban in the presence of senior government officials and dignitaries. Cabinet Division sources said five vehicles have been kept ready for the new advisers. Md Abul Hasnat Humayun Kabir, Transport Commissioner (Additional Secretary) of the Department of Government Transport, said they were instructed to prepare vehicles for new advisers. “We have prepared five vehicles.” The vehicles will be sent to the advisers' homes to pick them up, and then they will be brought to Bangabhaban for the oath-taking ceremony. The current interim government, headed by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, has 20 advisers. Army Chief meets CA Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus earlier in the day at his Tejgaon office. Details of the meeting were not disclosed. In the face of student-led mass uprising, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on August 5. Subsequently, parliament was dissolved and an interim government, led by Prof Yunus, was formed. So far, 20 advisers took oath of office in three phases.  

BNP leader Dr Shahadat Hossain has taken oath as the new mayor of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC). Adviser to Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperative Ministry AF Hassan Ariff administered the swearing-in ceremony at the conference room of the Local Government Division at the Secretariat on Sunday morning. BNP’s standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, party’s spokesperson and standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, organizing secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shamim, among others were present on the occasion.

Twenty-three new additional judges of the High Court (HC) took oath on Wednesday morning for two years. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administrated the swearing-in programme at the Judges’ Lounge of the Supreme Court (SC). SC Registrar General Aziz Ahmed conducted the function where justices of the both Appellate and HC divisions were present.  Earlier, on Tuesday night, the government appointed the new additional judges for the HC division for two years. Read: Newly appointed justices meet with President A gazette notification signed on by Md Golam Rabbani, secretary to the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, was issued in this regard on Tuesday night. The President appointed them exercising jurisdiction following section-98 of the Constitution and the tenure of the judges will begin from the day of taking oath, it reads. The newly appointed judges are - Md Golam Martuza Mazumder, Syed Enayet Hossain, Md Monsur Alam, Syed Jahed Mansur, KM Rasheduzzaman Raja, Md Zabid Hossain, Mubina Asaf, Qazi Waliul Islam, Ainun Nahar Siddiqua, Md Abdul Mannan, Tamanna Rahman, Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud, Md Hamidur Rahman, Nasrin Akter, Sathika Hossain, Syed Mohammad Tajrul Hossain, Md Toufik Inam, Eusuf Abdullah Sumon, Sheikh Tahsin Ali, Foyej Ahmed, Md Sogir Hossain, Shikder Mahmudur Razee and Debashish Roy Chowdhury. Read more: Crimes, injustices can be eradicated if journalists and police work together: DMP Chief The appointment of the judges will be effective from the day of swearing-in on Wednesday.

The cabinet Division has invited some 25 MPs as ministers and 11 as state ministers to take oath as new cabinet members led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain shared the information with journalists at the secretariat on Wednesday night. Read more: Cabinet clears draft law to check loan defaulters The 25 ministers are: AKM Mozammel Haque, Obaidul Quader, Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Dr. Dipu Moni, Tajul Islam, Farooq Khan, Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali, Advocate Anisul Haq, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Abdus Shaheed, Sadhan Chandra Majumder, RAM Ubaidul Mokhtadir Chowdhury, Abdur Rahman, Narayan Chandra Chanda, Abdus Salam, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, Farhad Hossain, Faridul Haque Khan, Zillul Hakim, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Nazmul Hasan Papon, Yeafesh Osman and Dr. Samanta Lal Sen. The 11 state ministers are:  Mohammad A. Arafat, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Nasrul Hamid, Simeen Hossain (Rimi), Rumana Ali, Ahsanul Islam (Titu), Shafikur Rahman Chowdhury, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Zahid Farooq, Kujendra Lal Tripura, Mohibbur Rahman. Of them, Yeafesh Osman and Dr. Samants Lal Sen will take oath as technocrat ministers, he added. Regarding portfolios, the secretary said that it will be known tomorrow after taking oath. Read more: Cabinet body approves proposals for import of fertliser, LNG and sugar

Following Awami League’s victory in the 12th National Parliamentary Election, the oath-taking ceremony of the newly formed cabinet will be held on Thursday (January 11) evening at Bangabhaban.  President Md Shahabuddin will administer the oath-taking ceremony to the prime minister, ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7 pm Thursday, said Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain. It’s a vote robbery in name of election, says Oli Ahmed in rejecting Sunday’s vote On Sunday, the Awami League won a comfortable two-thirds majority in the fourth election in a row, in 299 out of 300 constituencies where voting was held, and a strong showing by independent candidates, as predicted. The ruling party candidate has won 222 seats, while independent candidates (most of them also belonging to AL) won in 62 seats. Foreign powers to show 'red card' to AL govt after election: Manna Besides, Jatiya Party secured 11 seats and three candidates from three parties -- Bangladesh Workers’ Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod and Bangladesh Kalyan Party -- secured victory in their respective constituencies.

Justice Obaidul Hasan took oath today as the 24th Chief Justice of Bangladesh. The president administered the oath at 11 am at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, witnessed by the president's wife Dr. Rebecca Sultana, Cabinet members, former chief justices, judges of both the Appellate and High Court divisions, heads of the three services, principal secretary to the prime minister, the attorney general, and Supreme Court lawyers, including SC Bar Association leaders. Cabinet Secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain conducted the ceremony. The president made the appointment as per Article 95 (1) of the Constitution on Thursday as the outgoing chief justice retired on the day. Chief Justice rails against US visa policy on last working day Hassan, a senior judge of the Appellate Division, was appointed the chief justice on September 12.  Obaidul Hassan was appointed as an additional judge of the Supreme Court’s High Court Division in 2009 while his appointment was confirmed as a permanent judge in 2011. He was elevated as a judge in the Appellate Division on September 3, 2020. Hassan was born on January 1, 1959, at Chayashi village under Mohanganj upazila in Netrokona district to Dr Akhlaqul Hossain Ahmed and Begum Hosne Ara Hossain. Hassan was appointed as the chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-2 on March 25, 2012 and in his capacity as the head of that court, also known as War Crimes Tribunal, until September 15, 2015, he pronounced 11 verdicts. Denial of Bangladesh genocide weakens claims for justice and redress Obaidul Hassan is married to Nafisa Banu, who currently serves as Member (Finance) of Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority’s Board of Directors. The couple has a son, Barrister Ahmed Shafquat Hassan. Obaidul Hassan's younger brother Sajjadul Hassan is a parliament member (MP) from Netrokona-4 constituency while he previously served as a senior secretary at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Obaidul Hassan initially obtained his graduate and postgraduate degrees in economics from Dhaka University prior to studying law and made his debut as a practitioner in the Dhaka District Court in 1986, and got his enrollment in the High Court in 1988. He became an Appellate Division lawyer in 2005 and was appointed as an assistant attorney general and deputy attorney general for 5 years from 1996 to 2001. Justice Obaidul Hassan to take oath as country’s 24th Chief Justice on Sept 26 As a Supreme Court judge Obaidul Hassan joined several international legal conferences in different countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Netherlands and Argentina. He led the Bangladesh delegation to an international crimes conference in Buenos Aires in 2015 and in the same year he attended a views exchange meeting with the International Crimes Court and the International Crimes Tribunal judges in The Hague. Obaidul Hassan authored several books including 'Obornonio Nirmomotar Chittro Ekatturer Buddhijibi Hotyakando O Onnanya', 'Bangabandhu Bangladesh Ekjon Juddho Shishur Golpo O Onnanya' and 'Bangabandhu, Rabindranath O Oshamprodayeek Bangladesh'.