In a historic first session of the 13th Parliament, senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikrom, was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the House.
Alongside him, fellow BNP parliamentarian Barrister Kayser Kamal was elected as the Deputy Speaker, marking a significant leadership transition for the newly formed legislature.
The election process began shortly after the maiden session was called to order at 11:05 am.
Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni proposed the name of Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, the six-time MP from Bhola-3, for the position of Speaker.
The motion was seconded by Rakibul Islam, MP for Khulna-3, and subsequently placed to a voice vote by Dr. Khondoker Mosharraf Hossain, who was presiding over the House temporarily.
Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, who previously served as the Minister for Liberation War Affairs in the incumbent government, was elected uncontested.
Following the Speaker's election, the House moved to appoint the Deputy Speaker. M Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, representing Natore-2, proposed Barrister Kayser Kamal, the MP for Netrakona-1 and current State Minister for Land.
The proposal was supported by ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan of Lakshmipur-4 and passed by a unanimous voice vote. This appointment marks Kayser Kamal’s first term serving in the Jatiya Sangsad.
Immediately following the votes, the session entered a 30-minute recess to facilitate the official swearing-in ceremony.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker at his office within the Jatiya Sangsad complex.
The proceedings began today with an empty Speaker’s chair, a rare occurrence necessitated by the unavailability of the presiding officers from the previous 12th parliament.
With the new leadership now sworn in, the 13th Parliament is set to proceed with its legislative agenda, including the formation of parliamentary committees and the endorsement of pending ordinances.
