Ninth Parliament ‘ends’ journey
Bangladesh’s first female Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury made the announcement when she read out the President’s statement on Wednesday, the last day of the 19th session of Parliament.
It is the President who convenes and dissolves Parliament.
The 19th session was to end a month ago but due to political theatrics, it was extended.
Before Chaudhury announced dissolution of Parliament, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also Leader of Parliament, delivered her concluding speech.
“This session ends (today),” she declared.
“It will not be convened unless any emergency or war situation surfaces. The newly elected MPs will sit in the next Parliament.”
Hasina did little to hide her frustration Parliament was dissolved amid the absence of the Opposition which wants a ‘non-party’ caretaker government to conduct the next elections.
Parliament, first convened on Jan 25, 2009, runs its term on Jan 24 next year. It had a record 418 working days and passed a new high of 271 bills
According to the Constitution, the 10th national election has to be held within the last 90 days of the government's tenure.
The Election Commission has hinted at announcing polls schedule within the next week.
Hasina said, “I have requested the President to arrange for the election. He will take steps accordingly.”
Despite vote boycott and resistance threats, the Prime Minister has gone ahead with forming her proposed ‘all-party” cabinet.
On Monday, six ministers were inducted into the polls-time cabinet that she will preside over to supervise the next elections.
A gazette on portfolios of the cabinet members will be published on Thursday, she told Parliament on Wednesday.
“Election must be held... No-one will be able to thwart this election.”
The Prime Minister had earlier said Parliament would no sit after Oct 25, when the countdown to the election began.
But amid the discord with the Opposition over the election-time government, the session had been extended twice since it began on Sept 12.
The ruling and the opposition camps had vowed to take to streets on Oct 25, triggering concerns among the people. But no violent situation had surfaced.
It is the President who convenes and dissolves Parliament.
The 19th session was to end a month ago but due to political theatrics, it was extended.
Before Chaudhury announced dissolution of Parliament, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also Leader of Parliament, delivered her concluding speech.
“This session ends (today),” she declared.
“It will not be convened unless any emergency or war situation surfaces. The newly elected MPs will sit in the next Parliament.”
Hasina did little to hide her frustration Parliament was dissolved amid the absence of the Opposition which wants a ‘non-party’ caretaker government to conduct the next elections.
Parliament, first convened on Jan 25, 2009, runs its term on Jan 24 next year. It had a record 418 working days and passed a new high of 271 bills
According to the Constitution, the 10th national election has to be held within the last 90 days of the government's tenure.
The Election Commission has hinted at announcing polls schedule within the next week.
Hasina said, “I have requested the President to arrange for the election. He will take steps accordingly.”
Despite vote boycott and resistance threats, the Prime Minister has gone ahead with forming her proposed ‘all-party” cabinet.
On Monday, six ministers were inducted into the polls-time cabinet that she will preside over to supervise the next elections.
A gazette on portfolios of the cabinet members will be published on Thursday, she told Parliament on Wednesday.
“Election must be held... No-one will be able to thwart this election.”
The Prime Minister had earlier said Parliament would no sit after Oct 25, when the countdown to the election began.
But amid the discord with the Opposition over the election-time government, the session had been extended twice since it began on Sept 12.
The ruling and the opposition camps had vowed to take to streets on Oct 25, triggering concerns among the people. But no violent situation had surfaced.
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