Long-Standing Tradition Changes: Cabinet Oath-Taking at South Plaza of Parliament
A new chapter in the country’s political history is set to begin next Tuesday (February 17). Breaking with tradition, the cabinet oath-taking ceremony will be held in the South Plaza of the National Parliament, under the open sky. On the same day in the morning, newly elected members of parliament will also take their oaths at the same location.
Multiple sources from the Chief Adviser’s Office and the Cabinet Division have confirmed the matter. According to the scheduled plan, the oath-taking ceremony for the members of parliament will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday. The cabinet oath-taking ceremony will follow at 4:00 PM in the afternoon.
Traditionally, members of parliament take their oaths inside the National Parliament building, and cabinet ministers are sworn in at Bangabhaban. Since independence, all governments have conducted the oath-taking at Bangabhaban. However, this time, the BNP-led new government has decided, according to their preference, to hold the ceremony in the premises of the parliament building itself. This marks a departure from long-standing tradition and sets a new precedent.
A source from the Cabinet Division said that the oath-taking of members of parliament is comparatively less formal. It does not require special invitations, hospitality for diplomatic guests, or a large-scale arrangement. In contrast, the cabinet oath-taking ceremony is highly formal and multidimensional. It involves inviting domestic and foreign guests, arranging seating according to protocol, hospitality, and sequentially administering the oaths to the Prime Minister, ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers—making it a complex and large-scale event.
An official involved in the arrangements, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the last-minute change of venue requires re-planning various aspects of the preparation. Holding the event in an open space necessitates additional coordination regarding security, stage setup, guest management, and media coverage.
The decision is being seen as significant in political circles. Holding the oath-taking ceremony at the South Plaza of the parliament building is expected to convey a different message as the new government begins its journey, according to observers.
