Gazette to cabinet: Bangladesh awaits new govt

As the dust settles after the 13th national parliamentary elections, attention has quickly shifted from ballot boxes to Bangabhaban corridors. 

The question now dominating political circles is simple but significant: when will the new government officially take office, and how will the transition unfold?

With results nearly final, the path to forming the next administration is becoming clearer, though a few constitutional and procedural hurdles remain.

A decisive mandate reshapes the political map

The latest results show a commanding victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance, which secured more than two-thirds of the seats. 

Out of the 297 declared constituencies, the BNP has won 209 seats, while the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami captured 68 and the National Citizen Party 6. Independent candidates and smaller parties account for the remaining handful.

In a 300-seat parliament, at least 151 seats are required to form a government independently. The BNP’s sweeping margin has effectively removed coalition uncertainty and paved the way for a single-party cabinet.

Party insiders say BNP’s parliamentary leader is almost certain to be Tarique Rahman, positioning him to become prime minister once the constitutional steps are completed.

From gazette to oath: The next steps

Before any cabinet can be sworn in, the Election Commission must publish the official gazette of results. Legal advisers expect this to be completed by February 14. If the timeline holds, newly elected MPs may take their oath on February 16, followed by cabinet formation within two days.

Under constitutional procedures, MPs first elect a parliamentary leader. That leader then meets the President to formally claim majority support and seek appointment as head of government. Only after this process does the cabinet take shape.

But this transition is unfolding in an unusual political landscape.

An oath without a Speaker?

Normally, the Speaker administers the oath to MPs. Yet the post has effectively remained vacant since Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury resigned after the 2024 political upheaval, while former Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku remains in jail.

This has opened a constitutional debate over who will administer the oath. Law adviser Asif Nazrul recently said the President could authorise the Chief Justice or another designated figure. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud has also indicated that the Chief Election Commissioner could step in if necessary under special provisions.

The uncertainty has turned what is usually a routine ceremony into one of the most closely watched procedural questions of the post-election period.

Inside the making of a new cabinet

Once MPs are sworn in, the focus will shift to cabinet formation under Article 56 of the Constitution. The Prime Minister will recommend ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers, most of whom must be elected MPs, although a small number of technocrats can be included.

Officials say preparations are already underway at Bangabhaban, where President Mohammed Shahabuddin is expected to administer the oath to the Prime Minister first, followed by other cabinet members.

Behind the scenes, the Cabinet Division has begun logistical work, including preparing official vehicles. Early planning suggests a cabinet that could include up to 50 ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers, roughly in line with previous governments.

Opposition dynamics and a new parliamentary balance

While the BNP prepares to govern, the strong showing by Jamaat signals a reshaped opposition bench. Political analysts believe Jamaat is likely to emerge as the main opposition force in parliament, setting the stage for a more competitive legislative environment after years of one-sided dominance.

The simultaneous referendum held alongside the election has also added another layer to the political transition, with its official gazette expected alongside the parliamentary results.

The final stretch before a new administration

If the current timeline holds, Bangladesh could see a new government sworn in between February 17 and 18. Until then, the interim administration will remain in charge, stepping aside automatically once the cabinet oath is completed.

For now, the country stands in a brief but decisive pause between election victory and the exercise of power, as constitutional procedures move the political transition from ballot to governance.