NEWS DIGEST – Sheikh Hasina, was sworn in for a third consecutive term as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister on Monday.
The swearing-in was done one week after her Awami League-led ruling alliance won a parliamentary election marred by violence and allegations of fraud.
The 71-year-old politician took her oath of office from President Abdul Hamid at the Bangabhaban palace in Dhaka.
She was joined by her new cabinet of 24 ministers, 19 state ministers and three deputy ministers, who were also sworn in.
Hasina is the first prime minister in Bangladesh’s history to be elected to a third consecutive five-year term.
Senior politicians, foreign diplomats and civil and military officials attended the swearing-in ceremony, which was broadcast live by state-run Bangladesh Television.
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The portfolios of the ministers were announced on Sunday.
Hasina’s party won 259 of the 299 seats in parliament that were up for election on Dec. 30.
Hasina drew the ministers from her own party despite campaigning under a coalition led by her Awami League.
Most of her senior colleagues in the outgoing cabinet were replaced by new faces.
At least 16 people were killed in violence on the voting day and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led opposition alliance of jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia rejected the election result alleging massive rigging.
The government dismissed the allegations.
The BNP, which decided not to join parliament with securing only five lawmakers-elect, demanded a fresh election under a neutral administration.
Hasina served previously as prime minister from 1996 to 2001, 2009 to 2014 and 2014 to 2018. (dpa/NAN)
