Dhaka, Mar 12 (V7N) – The first session of the 13th National Parliament will begin today, Thursday, at 11 am, with the post of President currently vacant.

Parliament Leader and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will propose the name of the new President, who will then be finalized. Under the chairmanship of the President, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be determined, and President Md. Shahabuddin will administer their oaths according to parliamentary rules.

The session will start with a condolence motion in memory of the late former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and others who lost their lives in past movements and struggles. Following this, Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman will introduce 133 ordinances for parliamentary approval.

As per the constitution, the President will address the parliament, and today’s session will conclude with this speech. Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on March 15.

After winning the 13th national election, the BNP, led by party chairman Tarique Rahman, formed the government on February 17. By constitutional requirement, the first parliamentary session must be held within 30 days of the gazette publication. Tradition dictates that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected during the first session, and with a ruling majority, the BNP’s nominees are expected to secure the posts.

The BNP had proposed giving the Deputy Speaker post to the opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami, but Jamaat has announced that it will reject the proposal for now. The party stated it will decide on the Deputy Speaker position after discussing the July charter in parliament.

END/SMA/AJ