Newly elected BNP MPs have not taken oath as members of the proposed Constitution Reform Council (CRC) saying that the provision for such council must be incorporated in the Constitution first following endorsement of the Parliament.
They took oath as only members of the 13th Parliament at 10:43am at the Oath Room of the Jatiya Sangsad.
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.
Speaking to media, ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said none of them have been elected as members of any Constitution Reform Council (CEC) and that the Constitution does not currently contain such a council.
“We were not elected as members of any Constitution Reform Council, nor has such a body yet been incorporated into the Constitution. If a Constitution Reform Council is formed following the verdict of the referendum, it must first be in the Constitution,” he said.
Salahuddin Ahmed further said that there is no constitutional provision specifying who would administer the oath to members of the proposed council.
He said such legal issues must be clearly defined before any oath-taking can take place.
Referring to two different oath forms, he explained that while a white oath form exists for Members of Parliament under the Third Schedule of the Constitution, the coloured (light blue) form shown for CRC members has no constitutional basis.
This form needs first be incorporated into the Third Schedule of the Constitution before any oath can be administered, said Salahuddin, also a newly elected MP.
BNP MPs-elect take oath as members of parliament
“The oath of the members of the Constitution Reform Council can be taken after these things (legal issues) are constitutionally adopted in the Parliament,” he said, adding that they have proceeded so far in line with the Constitution.
“So far, we have proceeded strictly in line with the Constitution. We hope to continue doing so in the days ahead. Following the directive of our party Chairman and in his presence, I have conveyed our party’s decision to you,” said Salahuddin Ahmed.