Newly elected members of Bangladesh’s parliament took their oaths on Tuesday, marking the first session of the legislature since a student‑led uprising in 2024 toppled long‑time leader Sheikh Hasina and led to major political change in the country.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which achieved a landslide victory in last week’s election with more than a two‑thirds majority, is poised to form the next government. Its leader, Tarique Rahman, is scheduled to be sworn in as prime minister later on Tuesday.
During the ceremony at the national parliament in Dhaka, newly elected lawmakers pledged loyalty to Bangladesh under the supervision of the Chief Election Commissioner. Delegations from other countries, including Pakistan and India, were present for the event.
A separate ceremony for Rahman’s cabinet members is planned for later in the afternoon outside the parliament building.
Despite tight security around the capital, hundreds of people gathered around the parliament grounds throughout the day to witness the historic transition.
In the election, the BNP secured at least 212 seats in the 300‑member legislature, while the Jamaat‑e‑Islami party won 77 seats. The Awami League, Hasina’s party, had been barred from contesting the polls.
Rahman will replace the interim government that has led Bangladesh for the past 18 months following Hasina’s removal. He also faces the task of implementing reforms outlined in the July National Charter , a referendum‑backed plan that aims to reshape the country’s governance with more than 80 proposed changes.
