The 13th National Parliament of Bangladesh began its first session on Thursday at 11 a.m., marking the start of a new legislative term. The session opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran, and the Speaker’s seat was left vacant at the beginning. On the first day, the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq is scheduled to present 39 ordinances issued by the interim government for parliamentary approval.

Traditionally, the first session of a new parliament is presided over by the outgoing Speaker or Deputy Speaker until new officeholders are elected. However, this session saw a departure from that practice. Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, MP from Bhola-3, was unanimously elected as Speaker, and Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP from Netrakona-1, was elected as Deputy Speaker through a voice vote. The first meeting of the parliament was chaired by BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.

Following their election, the parliamentary sitting was adjourned for half an hour to allow the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker to take their oaths.