February 6, 2026
DHAKA – “Under the constitution, MPs are required to take their oath administered by the speaker. If the speaker is unavailable, the deputy speaker assumes this responsibility. If neither is available, there are provisions for that as well,” Asif Nazrul said while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat.
Noting that the current situation is exceptional, the law adviser said, “One of them is missing while the other is in jail, and both are facing serious cases. Under these circumstances, I do not see any scope for them to administer the oath,” he said.
According to the law, if the speaker and deputy speaker are unable to conduct the oath-taking, a person nominated by the president on the advice of the chief adviser may administer it. That could, for example, be our chief justice,” Asif Nazrul explained.
He added that if the oath is not administered within three days of election results, the chief election commissioner has the authority to administer oaths.
“Now, this is a policy-level decision of the government. I cannot give any final decision. However, we have two options before us: a person nominated by the president, or the CEC if the three-day period lapses,” he said.
However, the adviser stressed the government’s preference for expedience.
“The problem with waiting for the chief election commissioner is that we would have to wait for three days. We actually do not want to wait. We want to arrange the oath-taking as soon as possible after the election,” he said.
Asif Nazrul added that he would review the law and convey his final opinion to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.