The Members of Parliament (MPs) were given seats in the extreme back rows during the swearing-in ceremony of the new President. Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, at the Darbar Hall of the Bangabhaban yesterday.

Seated ahead of them were j aa».cMl. and military officials. StiprenM* Court Judges, diplomats, intellectuals, leaders of professional groups and the non PM politicians

Most of the seats, reserved for the MPs. were seen lying vacant.

There was no arrangement of seats near the podium for the journalists who covered the occasion. All the Journalists were given seats adjacent to those of the MPs. Besides, the local press photographers were not allowed to cover the programme.

Meanwhile, security measures appeared lax at the Bangabhaban during the new President’s oath-taking in the morning.

At the main gate of the Bangabhaban. the security personnel were found allowing many to enter without checking their Invitation cards. Those who entered the presidential palace on foot were verbally asked if they were carrying invitation cards while those who drove in were not asked anything.

Distributing of invitation cards to some politicians just before the ceremony began were also alleged.