Tarique Rahman to be Sworn In as Bangladesh PM | Constitution Reform Commission to be Formed

Dhaka – Tarique Rahman is set to be sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister today, February 17, 2026, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape following the landslide victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the February 12 general elections. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Parliament’s South Plaza in Dhaka, a departure from the traditional location of Bangabhaban.

Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, led the BNP to a decisive win after returning from a 17-year exile. The party secured over 151 seats in the 300-member parliament, with the BNP-led alliance winning a total of 212 seats, according to the Bangladesh Election Commission. This victory follows the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, which was barred from contesting the polls.

The day’s events will unfold in two stages. At 9:30 am local time, newly elected Members of Parliament will take their oaths at the Parliament Bhawan. A subsequent ceremony is scheduled for 4:00 pm, dedicated to the swearing-in of the new ministerial cabinet, with Rahman expected to take the prime minister’s oath at this time.

International representation at the ceremony will include the Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha, Om Birla, who will represent New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited but is unable to attend due to commitments at the AI Summit in India, running from February 16 to February 20. Pakistan will be represented by its Planning Minister, Ahsan Iqbal. Other confirmed attendees include Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal’s interim Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, and Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. Approximately 1,200 local and foreign guests are expected to attend the event.

However, the transition is not without its complexities. A proposed “Constitution Reform Commission” is also expected to be sworn in today, a move that has generated some unease among newly elected BNP MPs. According to reports, the commission may effectively function as a parliamentary body for the next 180 days, following a referendum that reportedly yielded a majority ‘yes’ vote for constitutional reform on February 12. This raises questions about the interplay between the commission’s duties and the regular parliamentary responsibilities of the elected representatives.

The formation of this commission stems from proposals outlined in the July National Charter, and uncertainty remains regarding the precise process by which the commission will operate and coordinate with the parliament. Elected BNP MP Rashiduzzaman Millat told ANI that neither Prime Minister Modi nor the Prime Minister of Pakistan will be in attendance.

Rahman’s ascent to the prime ministership marks the return of the BNP to power after a 20-year absence. He assumed leadership of the party following the death of his mother, Khaleda Zia, on December 30, 2025, and returned to Bangladesh in December 2025 after nearly 18 years in London. The BNP previously held government from 2001 to 2006.

The international community is watching the transition closely. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized that Speaker Birla’s participation “underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind the two nations.” The swearing-in ceremony is therefore being viewed as a crucial moment in the ongoing relationship between the two South Asian neighbors.

While the BNP celebrates its victory and prepares to govern, the coming months will be critical in navigating the complexities of constitutional reform and establishing a stable and effective government. The formation and function of the Constitution Reform Commission will be a key area to watch, as will the BNP’s ability to address the challenges facing Bangladesh and deliver on its electoral promises.