Tarique Rahman and lawmakers sworn in, marking a new era for Bangladesh after 2024 uprising and setting stage for his prime ministerial appointment.
DHAKA: Prime minister-to-be Tarique Rahman and newly elected lawmakers were sworn into Bangladesh’s parliament on Tuesday.
This marks the first elected representatives since a deadly 2024 uprising that toppled the previous autocratic government.
The lawmakers pledged loyalty to Bangladesh in a ceremony presided over by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.
Rahman, the 60-year-old chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is set to take over from an interim government that has steered the country for 18 months.
His party is expected to formally elect him as their leader, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin to administer the oath of office later on Tuesday afternoon.
Rahman won a landslide victory in the February 12 elections, securing 212 seats for his BNP coalition.
“This victory belongs to Bangladesh, belongs to democracy,” he said in his victory speech on Saturday.
He warned of significant challenges ahead, including tackling the economic woes of the world’s second-largest garment exporter.
The new leader has pledged to restore stability and revive growth after months of turmoil that rattled investor confidence.
He has also called for all parties to “remain united” in a country polarised by years of bitter rivalry.
Rahman’s win marks a remarkable turnaround after he returned to Bangladesh in December following 17 years in exile in Britain.
The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance secured 77 seats, a four-fold increase on its previous best result.
Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman said the Islamist party would “serve as a vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition”.
The party has, however, challenged results in 32 constituencies.
Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party was barred from taking part in the elections.
Hasina, who was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, issued a statement from hiding in India decrying an “illegal” election.
India, in a notable shift, praised the BNP’s “decisive win” after a period of deeply strained ties.
Only seven women were directly elected, although a further 50 seats reserved for women will be allocated to parties.
Four members of minority communities won seats, including two Hindus in the Muslim-majority nation.
Voting day passed without major unrest despite weeks of pre-poll turbulence.
“If the BNP can do a good job with the economy, it will make everything else easier for the government,” Crisis Group analyst Thomas Kean said.
The Sun Malaysia
