JS re-elects Shirin Sharmin Speaker for 3rd time

Fazle Rabbi deputy speaker, Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury chief whip

January 31, 2019 00:00:00

President Abdul Hamid administering the oath of office to Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Fazle Rabbi Miah, reelected Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively, at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the city on Wednesday — Focus Bangla

For the first time in history, Jatiya Sangsad (JS) on Wednesday elected Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury the Speaker for the third consecutive term, report agencies.

The attending MPs of the newly-formed 11th Jatiya Sangsad unanimously elected Dr Chaudhury, the lone candidate, by voice vote as Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah, who was presiding the session, placed it for endorsement.

The MPs, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, shouted 'yes' in favour of the proposal made by Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader and seconded by Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury.

Presided over by Fazle Rabbi Miah, the assembly starts the Speaker election on the first day of the opening session of the 11th parliament formed through the December-30 general election.

The maiden session of the new parliament began at 3pm with Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah in the chair as the outgoing Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was the Speaker candidate.

Immediately after the election, the sitting was adjourned for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury Liton has been appointed the chief whip of 11th parliament.

The member representing Madaripur-1 was approved for his new role by President Md Abdul Hamid on Wednesday.

Chowdhury is a nephew of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The president has also approved as whips Atiur Rahman Atik from Sherpur-1, Iqbalur Rahim from Dinajpur-3, Mahabub Ara Begum Gini from Gaibandha-2, Panchanan Biswas from Khulna-1, Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon from Jaipurhat-2 and Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury of Chattogram-12.

As per rules, the parliament secretariat will publish a circular for the appointments. The chief whip is allowed the privileges of a minister. Whips, on the other hand, bear the same status as state ministers.

The announcement is made before the first session of the 11th parliament, scheduled at 3pm.