Her reelection as Speaker hangs in the balance
Speaker of the outgoing parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Thursday declined to comment on ‘two parliaments’ now virtually exist in the country after the oath taking of new MPs, saying ‘it’s a legal matter’.
The Speaker made the comment while talking to a group of reporters at her chamber after the swearing-in ceremony of the new MPs.
In the Article 72 (3) of the Constitution it stated that ‘Unless sooner dissolved by the President, Parliament shall stand dissolved on the expiration of the period of five years from the date of its first meeting’.
The first session of the current 9th Parliament started on January 25, 2009, which means the lifetime of this (ninth) Parliament is until January 24 next unless the President dissolves it.
Now two Parliaments exist in the country as the MPs of 10th parliament took oath today 15 days before the expiry of the outgoing parliament.
Besides, the Constitution says there will be a general election within next 90 days after dissolution of the Parliament by the President.
According to the constitution, general election of the members of Parliament shall be held- (a) in the case of a dissolution by reason of the expiration of its term, within the period of ninety days preceding such dissolution; and (b) in the case of a dissolution otherwise than by reason of such expiration, within ninety days after such dissolution.
It provided that the persons elected at a general election under sub-clause (a) shall not assume office as members of Parliament except after the expiration of the term referred to therein.
As per these provisions stated in the Constitution there are now two parliaments — 9th Parliament and 10th Parliament — in the country.
In that case, the number of the valid MPs in the country is double the normal time.
Asked about it as reported in newspapers, the Speaker said, “It’s the matter of interpretation.”
Talking about the election for the Speaker post, she said: “It’s a matter to come later.”
According to the procedure, the Speaker for the new Parliament shall be elected at the first sitting of a Parliament.
In that case the re-election of the present Speaker — Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury – hangs in the balance unless she is elected MP from the reserved women seat prior to the first sitting of the 10th Parliament.
Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury did not vie in the 10th parliament.
Source: UNB Connect
