Fakhrul’s seat falls vacant

The Bogura-6 constituency yesterday fell vacant as BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir failed to take oath within the stipulated time of April 29.

Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury last night informed the parliament about it.

“Since Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who was elected from the parliamentary constituency-41, Bogura-6, in the 11th parliamentary election, failed to take oath within 90 days from the date of the first parliamentary meeting after his election, as per article 67 (Ka) of the constitution, his constituency has fallen vacant,” said the speaker.

Shirin said she informed the House as per section 178 (3) of the parliament’s rules of procedure.

The 11th parliament, formed through the December 30 general election, held its maiden session on January 30, 2019.

According to article 67 of the constitution, a member of parliament shall vacate his seat if he fails to take oath, or affirm to do so, within 90 days from the date of the first meeting of parliament after his election.

“Provided that the speaker may, before the expiration of that period, for good cause extend it,” said the same article of the constitution.

Some media outlets have recently reported that Fakhrul had written to the speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, seeking an extention of time for his oath-taking due to health complications.

However, Fakhrul yesterday trashed those reports, reaffirming that he will not take oath as a member of the 11th parliament to uphold his party’s decision.

 “It’s a blatant lie. I did not send any letter or seek any time for my oath,” he said.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury also denied receiving any such letter.