BNP Welcomes Decision to Form Shadow Cabinet: Salahuddin Ahmed

Speaking in front of the BNP’s Gulshan office in Dhaka on Monday (February 16), he said that the Election Commission holds the constitutional mandate to conduct parliamentary and presidential elections.

He noted that in the absence of a Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the Chief Election Commissioner is authorized to administer the oath to Members of Parliament. Accordingly, he said, the CEC is expected to administer the oath to the MPs tomorrow.

Regarding the proposed Constitutional Reform Council, Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the current Constitution does not authorize the CEC to administer oaths to members of such a body. However, if the Constitution is amended to include this provision and clearly defines who will conduct the oath-taking, then the process could proceed.

Another BNP Standing Committee member, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, said that multiple sectors of the country are facing serious challenges. He claimed that the economy, education, healthcare, and other systems have deteriorated significantly.

He also mentioned that there is still no clear information regarding the allocation of ministerial portfolios.