Fakhrul’s seat declared vacant

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Tuesday declared the Bogra 6 constituency vacant as Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir refrained from taking oath or seeking time as the deadline for swearing in expired on the day.
Citing the constitution and the Rules of Procedures, she told parliament that if any lawmaker-elect refrained from taking oath within 90 days after the beginning of the first session or refrained from informing the speaker, his/her membership would be cancelled.
Rule 178 (3) of the Rules of Procedures requires the speaker to inform the House if anybody fails to take oath by the deadline, she said.
‘Under the circumstances, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, elected from Bogra 6 constituency, has failed to take oath. The House has been informed about the matter. Now the Election Commission will take next course of action,’ she said.
Five out of the six BNP leaders elected in the December 30 general election have already joined parliament. 
About two hours after four BNP lawmakers’ taking oath on Monday, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told a press conference that the four joined parliament following a party decision. 
He said that acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman decided for the party’s joining parliament as part of movement for having Khaleda released and democracy restored. 
Rejecting results of the December 30 general election marked by widespread flaws and frauds, BNP had announced that they would join parliament. 
On April 27, BNP expelled Md Zahidur Rahman for taking oath as lawmaker for Thakurgaon 3. 
Fakhrul at a programme at the Jatiya Press Club, told journalists on Monday that it was also a part of strategy that he did not join parliament. 
He said that it was also the party decision that he would not join parliament.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net