Parliament Speaker Hafiz says House ‘complete’ with all women members

Reserved-seat member Ranu says the day “feels like spring” for 50 the women MPs

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has welcomed the newly sworn-in women members of parliament elected to reserved seats, saying the House has become “complete” with their arrival.

“The House looks much more colourful today,” he told parliament on Sunday.

“With the arrival of the women members, parliament has become complete. I congratulate them as well.”

The second session of the 13th Parliament began at 3pm on Sunday.

The opening session observed a condolence motion, a minute’s silence and prayers in memory of deceased ministers, MPs and distinguished citizens.

The speaker then formally welcomed the women members.

The general election was held on Feb 12.

On Apr 30, the Election Commission published a gazette declaring 49 candidates elected unopposed to 50 reserved seats for women, who took oath on May 3.

The remaining reserved seat allocated to the opposition was won by NCP’s Nusrat Tabassum Jyoti, who was sworn in on May 6.

During the question-and-answer session, reserved-seat MP Rehana Akter Ranu urged parliament to give women members greater opportunities to speak in the House.

“Whether flowers bloom or not, today feels like spring for all 50 of us in this parliament,” she said.