Tarique Rahman, Lawmakers Take Oath in Bangladesh Parliament

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s prime minister-to-be Tarique Rahman and lawmakers were sworn into parliament on Tuesday, marking the first elected representatives since the 2024 uprising. Rahman will take over from an interim government that has managed the country of 170 million for the past 18 months. Lawmakers pledged loyalty to Bangladesh during the ceremony, administered by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. The swearing-in signifies a return to parliamentary governance after months of political turmoil.

Rahman, 60, chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), won a landslide victory in the February 12 elections. His coalition secured 212 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance won 77. BNP lawmakers are expected to formally elect Rahman as their parliamentary leader. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will then administer the oath of office to the prime minister and his cabinet later Tuesday. Rahman called the victory a win for democracy and the people of Bangladesh.

The new prime minister warned of significant challenges, including a fragile economy and weakened institutions left behind by the previous regime. Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest garment exporter, faces economic instability and law and order concerns. Rahman pledged to restore stability, revive growth, and unite political factions. He emphasized that all parties should work together to strengthen democracy in a polarized nation. His government plans to focus on both economic recovery and institutional reform.

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Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in Britain. His election marks a major political turnaround and the return of a powerful political dynasty. Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shafiqur Rahman, 67, accepted his party’s role as a principled and peaceful opposition. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death in absentia, criticized the elections as “illegal” from India. India, however, praised the BNP’s decisive victory as a positive political development.

The election also saw limited representation for women and minorities. Only seven women were directly elected, with 50 reserved seats allocated according to party votes. Four minority members, including two Hindus, secured seats in parliament. Despite pre-election tensions, voting day passed peacefully, and initial public reaction has been calm. Analysts believe a focus on economic reforms could stabilize Bangladesh and strengthen overall governance in the coming months.