The MPs-elect of the sixth Jattya Sangsad will be sworn in on March 4 and 7.

An announcement from the Jatiya Sangsad secretariat yesterday sain Speaker of the fifth Jatiya Sangsad Shaikh Razzak All will administer the oath to the newly-elected members at the committee room in the eastern wing of the Sangsad Bhaben.

■ The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 4:30 pm on March 4 - and at 11 am on March 7 under the provisions of Article 148 (Article 5 of the fifth schedule) of the Constitution and Rule-5 of the Rules of • Procedure of the Jatiya Sangsad. the announcement said.

A press release of the JS secretariat said that letters Inviting the MPs-elect for the

swearing-In had already been mailed while copies of the letters have-been kept at the reception of the Sangsad Bhaban.

Before receiving the invitation letters, the - MPs-elect have been requested to bring their Identity cards from the returning officers concerned or from fnelr party leaders, it said.

The candidates elected to more than one seat have been requested tp inform, in writing. the Election Commission of the particular constituency they want to represent in Parliament as per Article. 17 of the Constitution.

Before taking oath, each of the members concerned would have to make a handwritten declaration to the EC. the press release said. Otherwise, ne will not be able to take\ oath, it added.

The mainstream opposition boycotted the February 15 polls and also accused the government of rigging and vote fraud.

■ Meanwhile, the Election Commission by a gazette notification on February 20 has announced the official results of 208 constituencies.

Barring two constituencies, all the seats were won by the candidates nominated by the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

When agked if there was any constitutional or legal bar for administering oath under a certain period *of time. Shaikh Razzak Ali said. MPs-eiect can be administered oath any time after the gazette notification, issuing a notice lor Jhat is no obligation."

Those who would not be able to take their, oath on the announced dates would be administered oath, on'a la(er date, hfc added.

According to the Speaker, the first session of the JS has to be summoned within 30 days of the gazette notification. In case of piecemeal notifications.' the 30 days should be counted from the day the last gazette is published, ne said.

In case an MP fails to take oath within 90 days of the first session, his seat will be declared vacant. But if an MP submits an application to the Speaker for extension of the time limit, the Speaker may extend it. Razzak Ali suggested.