Bangabhaban
New Cabinet to take oath on Jan 11
Following Awami League’s victory in the 12th National Parliamentary Election, the oath-taking ceremony of the newly formed cabinet will be held on Thursday (January 11) evening at Bangabhaban.
President Md Shahabuddin will administer the oath-taking ceremony to the prime minister, ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7 pm Thursday, said Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain.
It’s a vote robbery in name of election, says Oli Ahmed in rejecting Sunday’s vote
On Sunday, the Awami League won a comfortable two-thirds majority in the fourth election in a row, in 299 out of 300 constituencies where voting was held, and a strong showing by independent candidates, as predicted.
The ruling party candidate has won 222 seats, while independent candidates (most of them also belonging to AL) won in 62 seats.
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Besides, Jatiya Party secured 11 seats and three candidates from three parties -- Bangladesh Workers’ Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod and Bangladesh Kalyan Party -- secured victory in their respective constituencies.
Justice Obaidul Hasan takes oath as 24th Chief Justice of Bangladesh
Justice Obaidul Hasan took oath today as the 24th Chief Justice of Bangladesh.
The president administered the oath at 11 am at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, witnessed by the president's wife Dr. Rebecca Sultana, Cabinet members, former chief justices, judges of both the Appellate and High Court divisions, heads of the three services, principal secretary to the prime minister, the attorney general, and Supreme Court lawyers, including SC Bar Association leaders.
Cabinet Secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain conducted the ceremony.
The president made the appointment as per Article 95 (1) of the Constitution on Thursday as the outgoing chief justice retired on the day.
Chief Justice rails against US visa policy on last working day
Hassan, a senior judge of the Appellate Division, was appointed the chief justice on September 12.
Obaidul Hassan was appointed as an additional judge of the Supreme Court’s High Court Division in 2009 while his appointment was confirmed as a permanent judge in 2011.
He was elevated as a judge in the Appellate Division on September 3, 2020.
Hassan was born on January 1, 1959, at Chayashi village under Mohanganj upazila in Netrokona district to Dr Akhlaqul Hossain Ahmed and Begum Hosne Ara Hossain.
Hassan was appointed as the chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-2 on March 25, 2012 and in his capacity as the head of that court, also known as War Crimes Tribunal, until September 15, 2015, he pronounced 11 verdicts.
Denial of Bangladesh genocide weakens claims for justice and redress
Obaidul Hassan is married to Nafisa Banu, who currently serves as Member (Finance) of Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority’s Board of Directors. The couple has a son, Barrister Ahmed Shafquat Hassan.
Obaidul Hassan's younger brother Sajjadul Hassan is a parliament member (MP) from Netrokona-4 constituency while he previously served as a senior secretary at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Obaidul Hassan initially obtained his graduate and postgraduate degrees in economics from Dhaka University prior to studying law and made his debut as a practitioner in the Dhaka District Court in 1986, and got his enrollment in the High Court in 1988.
He became an Appellate Division lawyer in 2005 and was appointed as an assistant attorney general and deputy attorney general for 5 years from 1996 to 2001.
Justice Obaidul Hassan to take oath as country’s 24th Chief Justice on Sept 26
As a Supreme Court judge Obaidul Hassan joined several international legal conferences in different countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Netherlands and Argentina.
He led the Bangladesh delegation to an international crimes conference in Buenos Aires in 2015 and in the same year he attended a views exchange meeting with the International Crimes Court and the International Crimes Tribunal judges in The Hague.
Obaidul Hassan authored several books including 'Obornonio Nirmomotar Chittro Ekatturer Buddhijibi Hotyakando O Onnanya', 'Bangabandhu Bangladesh Ekjon Juddho Shishur Golpo O Onnanya' and 'Bangabandhu, Rabindranath O Oshamprodayeek Bangladesh'.
President Shahabuddin seeks more British investment in Bangladesh's energy sector
President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday urged the British businesses to invest in Bangladesh, especially in gas and energy sectors.
He made the call while receiving the credentials from new British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke at Bangabhaban.
The envoy was ceremonially welcomed at Bangabhaban here this morning.
Read more: President Shahabuddin seeks more British investment in Bangladesh's energy sector
Welcoming her, the President said, "Britain is a very close friend of Bangladesh. The UK is playing an important role in the economic and technical development of the country."
He expressed deep gratitude to the then British Prime Minister Edward Heath and the people of Britain for showing incredible respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as he first flew to London after freedom from Pakistani prison in 1972.
“Since then, Bangladesh and the UK started walking together . . . And over time, this relationship has accelerated to various fields, including bilateral and multilateral sectors,” President Sahabuddin added.
Read more: Bangladesh will welcome election observers from EU, UK: PM tells outgoing British high commissioner
The high commissioner said the UK's partnership with Bangladesh is on a strong foundation at present.
Lauding the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, she said her country would always stand by it in its continued development and progress.
HC Cooke sought the cooperation of the president in fulfilling her duties.
Read more: Sarah Cooke next British High Commissioner to Bangladesh
Earlier, on her arrival at Bangabhaban, a smartly turned-out contingent of the horse-mounted President Guard Regiment (PGR) gave the envoy a guard of honour as part of the ceremony.
Secretaries concerned to the Bangabhaban were also present during the meeting.
President-elect, PM call on incumbent at Bangabhaban
President-elect Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday met the incumbent President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban.
Prime Minister's sister Sheikh Rehana, wife of president-elect Dr Rebecca Sultana accompanied them, Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB.
On their arrival, President Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanom welcomed them with flower bouquets.
President Hamid congratulated Shahabuddin for being elected President of Bangladesh and exchanged greetings on the phone. They also enquired of their health condition.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also briefed the President about the activities of ther government during the meeting.
Read more: President Hamid greets his successor President-elect Md Shahabuddin
Shahabuddin Chuppu will be the 22nd President of Bangladesh.
Yesterday, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal declared the ruling party’s nominee the president-elect of Bangladesh.
As per the election schedule two nomination papers were submitted for Shahabuddin on Sunday and one of those was accepted as valid after scrutiny on Monday.
A gazette was issued in the afternoon in this regard.
The ruling party's nominee was declared the next president of the country as no other political party with representation in parliament proposed any name for the presidential election.
President Hamid is set to complete his tenure on April 23 this year.
Read more: Md Shahabuddin set to become next President of Bangladesh
According to the constitution, a new president has to be elected within 90 to 60 days prior to the end of the incumbent president's tenure.
Bangabhaban is now open for visitors on a limited scale
The presidential house Bangabhaban is now open for visitors on a limited scale.
President Abdul Hamid said after inaugurating the renovated Air Raid Shelter and Bangabhaban Toshakhana Museum on Tuesday afternoon.
"People usually can't enter Bangabhaban. Nobody knows what's inside, it's in the darkness," he said. "People will also know the history and tradition of Bangabhaban.”
Terming the Bangabhaban Toshakhana Museum as one of the monuments of centuries of colorful history and tradition of the Bengalis, the President said, "I believe, the Bangabhaban Toshakhana Museum will play an important role in preserving the rich history of Bangabhaban and presenting it to the future generations."
Hamid said the foreign envoys or ambassadors and visitors would be able to get acquainted with the country's history, heritage and culture during their visit.
The people will also be attracted by visiting many installations of Bangabhaban, and subsequently their attitude towards Bangladesh would be very positive, the President added.
Bangabhaban was once called 'Manuk House'. After that, it was regarded as Governor House. A unique combination of Victorian architecture with Islamic and Bengali architecture, this building is now the office and residence of the President of the Republic.
Various schemes are being implemented including modernisation of Toshakhana and Air Raid Shelter House and construction of a walkway with the aim of opening the Bangabhaban to local and foreign visitors in a limited scale.
In the afternoon, President Hamid inaugurated the newly constructed Toshakhana Museum and visited the installations at different rooms there.
Under the overall supervision of Bangabhaban, this dilapidated Toshakhana was elevated into a museum with a modern look.
The Toshakhana houses are decorated with the gifts from different heads of states and governments of different countries across the world.
Apart from the opening for domestic and foreign visitors on a limited basis, the initiatives have been taken so that anyone can visit the Toshakhana online from any part of the world and learn about Bangabhaban.
Earlier, President Hamid planted a sibling there after inaugurating the renovated Air Raid Shelter House.
Due to lack of use, this abandoned shelter built in 1965 was taken as a historical monument for the visitors coming to Bangabhaban. The Air Raid Shelter House has been renovated in its original shape.
Besides the modern landscaped, Bangabhaban has beautiful green gardens, Dumba Shed, Deer Park, four nicely arranged ponds and a swimming pool.
President's wife Rashida Khanam, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Rezwan Ahammad Taufiq MP and secretaries concerned and high civil and military officers accompanied the President at the event.
PM's outgoing principal secretary pays courtesy call on president
Prime Minister's outgoing principal secretary Ahmad Kaykaus paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban Wednesday.
Congratulating the outgoing Kaykaus on being appointed as the alternate executive director of the World Bank in Washington, President Hamid hoped that he would be successful with his duties and make all-out efforts to protect the interests of the country, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin said.
Read more: PM Hasina pays courtesy call on President Hamid
The outgoing principal secretary sought the president's guidance and cooperation in discharging his new duties.
The president also thanked Kaykaus for successfully performing his duties as the principal secretary to the prime minister.
President Hamid offers Eid prayers at Bangabhaban
President Abdul Hamid on Sunday offered Eid-ul-Azha prayers along with his family members and officials at the Hallway (Darbar Hall) of Bangabhaban.
Pesh Imam of Bangabhaban Jame Mosque Mufti Maulana Saiful Kabir conducted the Eid prayers in the morning, the press wing of the president’s office said.
He offered his prayers maintaining Covid-19 health guidelines, including keeping social distance amid a rise in the infections.
The president avoided taking part in the traditional Eid prayers in the capital's National Eidgah Maidan due to Covid situation, the press wing said.
Many state programmes were also curtailed for this reason.
A special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of Bangladesh and welfare of the people as well as the Muslim Ummah.
Doa was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other members of his family on August 15 in 1975, and the war martyrs of 1971.
After the prayers, President Hamid spent his time with his family members at the presidential palace.
Read: President Hamid unveils inaugural envelope of census
Outgoing CEC, election commissioners call on President Hamid
Outgoing Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Sunday.
He was accompanied by his colleagues- Mahbub Talukdar, Rafiqul Islam and Kabita Khanam.
Read: Gazette published fixing eligibility and ineligibility criteria for CEC, election commissioners
The five-year tenure of Huda-led commission expires on Monday.
During the meeting, the team briefed the president about their activities in the past five years, Joynal Abedin, president's press secretary told UNB.
They thanked the President for his co-operation and guidance in carrying out their duties.
Huda handed over to the president the Bangla version of the Representation of the People Order 1972 and the Delimitation of constituencies for the Jatiya Sangsad Act 2021.
The president was given a smart national identity card with Heroic Freedom Fighters inscribed on it.
President Hamid said that election is an important part of a democratic process. The Election Commission plays a key role in conducting elections. The cooperation of political parties and the people is essential for a fair and credible election.
Read: President’s dialogue: NAP leaders want law to form election commission
He hoped that in the upcoming EC will conduct all local government elections in more free and acceptable manner with cooperation of all political parties.
Secretary to the President's Office Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary to the President Joynal Abedin, and Secretary to the Election Commission Humayun Kabir Khandaker were present on the occasion.
The chief justice meets President Hamid and brief him about SC activities: Bangabhaban
The newly appointed chief justice of Bangladesh Justice Hasan Fayez Siddiqui on Thursday paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban.
During the meeting, the chief justice briefed the president on various activities of the Supreme Court, especially the operation of virtual courts during Covid-19 pandemic.
Justice Hasan also apprised the president of the steps taken to reduce the load of pending litigation.
Congratulating him, the President said that the judiciary has been the last resort for the people to get justice.
The judiciary must continue its efforts to ensure that people get justice without any harassment, he said.
Read: Canadian envoy presents credentials to President Hamid
President Hamid hoped that under the leadership of the new chief justice, the judiciary would be able to meet the expectations of the people through speedy execution of justice.
Secretary to the President's Office Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary to the President Md. Joynal Abedin and Secretary (attached) Wahidul Islam Khan were present on the occasion.
JSD not to join talks on EC formation
Calling it ‘pointless’, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), led by ASM Abdur Rob, has decided not to take part in the ongoing dialogue on the reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC) at Bangabhaban.
Party president ASM Abdur Rob came up with the announcement at a press conference at his Uttara residence on Friday.
“The formation of the Election Commission is not a solution for a free and fair election. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal is not going to participate in the dialogue for practical reasons,” he said.
Read: Boycotting the election dialogue not a solution: Gono Front
He said their party also thinks the current dialogue is not conducive to protecting the dignity of the President.
Rob said the dialogue should be held on the process of formation of a 'national government', not on the election commission, for arranging a neutral election and establishing the rule of law in the country.
As the present government does not represent the spirit and determination of the constitution, he said, it has started filing new cases against the leaders and activists who are on a movement demanding a free and fair election and arresting them again in old cases. “So, the formation of the Election Commission alone is not a guarantee for a neutral election.”
JSD (Rob) was scheduled to join talks with President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Monday.
Rob alleged, “The President, the government and the Election Commission are involved in the violation of the constitution in the question of election. “Those who violated the constitution should apologise to the nation.”
Stating that the current Election Commission was appointed by the President, he said it has betrayed the nation by destroying the electoral system with its biased role.
The JSD president said 42 noted citizens of the country wrote a letter to the President in 209 seeking removal of the current Election Commission. “But the President did not take any action.”
He said their party believes that a neutral election is not possible in the country under a partisan government. “So, a guarantee for a free, fair and impartial election is now crucial. To this end, we have already presented the proposals of the national government. ”
President Abdul Hamid began talks with registered political parties over the formation of the new Election Commission on December 20.
The President has already invited 28 parties to join the talks at Bangabhaban.
Read: Sammobadi Dal wants election time govt under PM
Earlier, BNP, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), Islami Andolon Bangladesh and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) decided not to join the talks.
The tenure of the current EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, is to expire on February 14 next year.
As per the constitution, a new Commission must be formed before the expiry of the present EC.