In a departure from decades of political tradition, the swearing-in ceremony for Bangladesh’s new Cabinet will take place at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament House) this coming Tuesday. Historically, such ceremonies have been held within the gilded confines of the Darbar Hall at Bangabhaban, the presidential palace. However, the incoming administration has opted for a more public-facing venue to underscore the parliament’s role as the heartbeat of the nation’s democracy.
A Historic Tuesday Schedule
The day of Tuesday, 17 February 2026, is set to be a landmark in the country’s transition back to parliamentary governance. The schedule is divided into two primary segments:
Morning Session: The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, will administer the oath of office to the newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) of the Thirteenth National Assembly.
Afternoon Session: President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the Prime Minister-elect and the Council of Ministers at the South Plaza.
Symbolism of the South Plaza
The decision to relocate the ceremony from the presidential palace to the parliamentary grounds is deeply symbolic. Following the mass uprising of 5 August 2024, which led to the dissolution of the previous parliament, the Sangsad Bhaban area has served as the administrative hub for several reform commissions.
Under the interim government, the Constitution Reform Commission, led by Professor Ali Riaz, and the Election System Reform Commission both operated from within the parliamentary precinct. Notably, the “July National Charter,” a document of national consensus signed by various political parties, was also inaugurated at the South Plaza. By holding the Cabinet’s inauguration here, the new government seeks to formalise the transition from an interim period to an elected democratic mandate.
Preparation and Logistics
The Election Commission (EC) moved with unprecedented speed following the general election held last Thursday, publishing the official gazette of winners by Friday night. Kaniz Maula, Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, confirmed on Saturday that preparations are in full swing to accommodate the influx of dignitaries and international observers.
| Event Component | Location | Presiding Official |
| MP Swearing-In | Parliament Oath Room | Chief Election Commissioner |
| Cabinet Swearing-In | Parliament South Plaza | The President of Bangladesh |
| Government Formation | Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban | Prime Minister-Elect |
While Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid initially suggested the ceremony might follow the traditional Bangabhaban route, high-level sources within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)—which is poised to form the government—and the Chief Adviser’s Office have confirmed the South Plaza as the definitive choice.
The move marks the first time in the nation’s history that a fresh Cabinet will take its vows under the open sky of the parliamentary complex, signalling a commitment to transparency and the supremacy of the legislature.