Dhaka, Mar 12 (V7N) – Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Bir Bikram), Member of Parliament from Bhola-3 constituency, has taken oath as the Speaker of the 13th National Parliament. At the same time, Barrister M. Kaiser Kamal, MP, was sworn in as Deputy Speaker. Both took their oaths administered by President Md. Shahabuddin.

Earlier in the session, Parliament Leader and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid tribute to national leader Khaleda Zia, saying she fought for democracy until her last day and never compromised with dictatorship or fascism. The Prime Minister added, "From today, the democratic journey has begun again in Bangladesh. We want to make this parliament a center for debate, discussion, and solving national problems. BNP will work to make every citizen self-reliant."

Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed was unanimously elected Speaker, receiving only one nomination. Similarly, State Minister for Land Kaiser Kamal was unanimously elected Deputy Speaker without contest. Both proposals were raised and approved in Parliament with a 'yes' vote.

The elections of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker mark a crucial step in the functioning of the 13th National Parliament and the formal establishment of its leadership.

END/SMA/AJ