Dhaka: Newly elected BNP MPs have not taken an oath as members of the proposed Constitution Reform Council (CRC), asserting that the provision for such a council must first be incorporated into the Constitution following the endorsement of the Parliament. They took the oath as only members of the 13th Parliament at 10:43 am in the Oath Room of the Jatiya Sangsad.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath in line with the Constitution, as the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament are currently vacant. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed stated before the oath-taking ceremony that none of them have been elected as members of any Constitution Reform Council and that the Constitution currently does not include such a council.
Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized that the formation of a Constitution Reform Council must first be incorporated into the Constitution if it is to be established following a referendum. He pointed out the absence of a constitutional provision specifying who would administer the oath to members of the proposed council and stressed the need for these legal issues to be clearly defined before any oath-taking can commence.
Referring to the existence of two different oath forms, Salahuddin explained that while a white oath form exists for Members of Parliament under the Third Schedule of the Constitution, the colored (light blue) form shown for CRC members lacks constitutional basis. This form must first be included in the Third Schedule of the Constitution before any oath can be administered, he stated.
Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated that the oath of the members of the Constitution Reform Council could only be taken after these legal issues are constitutionally addressed in the Parliament. He assured that they have proceeded thus far strictly in line with the Constitution and expressed the intention to continue doing so in the future. Following the directive of the party Chairman, Salahuddin conveyed the party's decision to the media.