Will Bangladesh's Swearing-in Ceremony Become a Grand Event with Dignitaries?
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Dhaka, Feb 16 (NationPress) Approximately 1,200 dignitaries from both Bangladesh and other nations are anticipated to gather for the swearing-in ceremony of the newly constituted government, set to occur on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building in Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), under the leadership of chairman Tarique Rahman, achieved a resounding victory in the latest parliamentary elections, facilitating the establishment of a new government.
Several distinguished international attendees are expected at this momentous occasion. Notable figures include Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Pakistan's Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
Nepal will be represented by Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, while Sri Lanka's Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa is also slated to be in attendance.
The UK's Indo-Pacific Under-Secretary Seema Malhotra is also expected to join the event, along with the potential presence of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.
Invitations have been issued according to established diplomatic protocols, though confirmations from some invited countries are still pending.
On Sunday, India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla would participate in the oath-taking ceremony of the government led by Tarique Rahman in Bangladesh.
In an official statement, the MEA remarked, "The Hon'ble Speaker's attendance at this significant event highlights the deep-seated friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reinforcing India's unwavering commitment to the democratic principles that unite our two nations."
It further added, "As neighboring countries bonded by a common history, culture, and mutual respect, India embraces Bangladesh's shift to a democratically elected government under the guidance of Tarique Rahman, whose vision has garnered a substantial mandate from the populace."
This ceremony is poised to represent a pivotal political milestone for Bangladesh as it transitions to a newly elected administration following the decisive success of the BNP.
The 13th parliamentary elections were conducted on Thursday, with the Election Commission releasing the official gazette notification of the winning candidates on Friday evening.
Arrangements for the oath-taking ceremony are currently in progress at the Jatiya Sangsad secretariat. Traditionally, the event is held in the designated oath room at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
Voting took place for 299 of the 300 parliamentary seats in the 13th election on February 12.
The Election Commission has declared unofficial results for 297 constituencies; however, the gazette notifications for Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4 remain pending due to a directive from the High Court.
According to the results so far, the BNP has won 209 out of 297 seats in the February 12 elections, while its candidates are leading in the two constituencies where results have not been announced. Their allies have claimed three seats.
In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats, and the coalition partners in the Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance obtained nine seats. Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) won one seat, and independent candidates triumphed in seven constituencies, as reported by Prothom Alo.
With Tarique Rahman now poised to guide Bangladesh — a position last held by a male Prime Minister nearly 35 years ago — experts caution that the nation must confront significant challenges related to unrest and the rise of Islamist extremism, which defined the tumultuous 18-month period of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.