October 16, 2001	Tuesday	Rajab 28, 1422

DHAKA: The Awami League, which suffered a humiliating defeat in the Oct 1 general election, is yet to take a firm decision whether to take the oath and attend the parliament session.

Sources said that both the Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and former minister Abdur Razzak, who won from more than one constituency, have decided to retain one seat and vacate the rest.

If this happens, than it would reflect a change of mind in the Awami League leadership, analysts said.

As per the constitutional provisions, a newly-elected legislator is supposed to take oath of his office within 90 days after the result has been published in the gazette.

But as per another provision, if an MP elected from more than one seat fails to notify within 30 days of the official announcement of the election which seat he/she likes to retain, then all of his/her seats stand nullified.

The clock has started ticking from Oct 8.

Chief Election Commissioner M. Abu Syed observed that “legal provisions are quite clear and the law will take its course”.

Parliamentarians belonging to the BNP-led four-party alliance and some other smaller parties and Independent members have already been sworn-in.

Similarly, outgoing Speaker Abdul Hamid, who retained his seat, also took oath of his office. However, the rest of 61 MPs belonging to the AL are yet to take oath.

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is already in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. She is expected back home on Oct 15.

PARLIAMENT SUMMONED: President Shahabuddin Ahmed has summoned the parliament to meet on Oct 28.

The president has already informed the new government of his decision to relinquish his office as soon as the new house meets.

He wants the elected house to go through the constitutional obligation of electing a new head of state. President Ahmed’s five-year tenure ended on Oct 8.