Bangladesh Oath Ceremony 2026 Live Updates: PM-elect Tarique Rahman of BNP, newly elected MPs to take oath today
Tarique Rahman Oath Ceremony Live Updates: History unfolds on Tuesday, February 17, at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) officially returns to government after nearly two decades. In a landmark ceremony, Tarique Rahman is set to be sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, following the party’s landslide victory in the 13th Parliamentary Election.
The transition marks a pivotal shift in the nation’s political landscape, coming nearly two years after the 2024 student-led uprising. Today’s proceedings will formally transfer executive authority from the interim administration to the newly elected BNP-led government.
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Key timing and ceremony details
Morning (10 am local time): Newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) will take their oath. In a historic first, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin is expected to administer the oath to the 297 lawmakers.
Afternoon (4 pm): The main event begins. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath of office to Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman and his initial cabinet.
Venue: In a departure from tradition, the ceremony is being held at the National Parliament complex’s South Plaza to accommodate a massive guest list of approximately 1,200 attendees.
Who is attending?
The ceremony serves as a major diplomatic stage for the new administration. Notable international dignitaries and regional representatives include:
| Dignitary | Country/organisation |
| Om Birla | Speaker of the Lok Sabha, India |
| Tshering Tobgay | Prime Minister, Bhutan |
| Ahsan Iqbal | Planning Minister, Pakistan |
| Bala Nanda Sharma | Foreign Minister, Nepal |
| Abdulla Khaleel | Foreign Minister, Maldives (President Muizzu may attend) |
| Nalinda Jayatissa | Health Minister, Sri Lanka |
| Seema Malhotra | UK Indo-Pacific Under Secretary |
The mandate
The BNP-led alliance secured a commanding two-thirds majority with over 200 seats in the 300-seat Jatiya Sangsad. This decisive mandate grants Tarique Rahman a strong platform to address his stated priorities: stabilising a fragile economy, curbing inflation, and restoring the rule of law.
Stay with us for real-time updates, photos, and live reactions from Dhaka as the ceremony progresses.
Live Updates
