The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqul Islam Azad

Former speaker Abdul Hamid Advocate is likely to be the Speaker of the Ninth Parliament in the first session which begins on January 25, informed sources said.

Abdul Hamid, who has been elected MP for eighth time since 1970, has a record of running sessions of the Seventh Parliament.

When contacted the former speaker told The New Nation that he did not know about the Awami League's choice of the next Speaker. The new Speaker and the Deputy Speaker will be elected at the inaugural session of Parliament.

According to election manifesto of the Awami League (AL), the Deputy Speaker will be elected from the opposition.

BNP sources said some senior BNP leaders, including MK Anwar MP-elect are likely to be named for the post.

The BNP MPs-elect are expected to take oath during the inaugural session of Parliament.