Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday submitted a declaration to the Election Commission stating his intention to represent the Dhaka-17 constituency, after being elected simultaneously from Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 in the 13th parliamentary elections held on February 12.

As per article 71 of the constitution, a person elected from more than one constituency must submit a signed declaration to the Election Commission specifying which seat he intends to retain before taking the oath of office as a lawmaker.

Once the declaration is submitted, the other seat or seats are declared vacant.

Election Commission’s senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed told New Age on Monday that Tarique had chosen to retain Dhaka-17 and relinquish Bogura-6.

Following his declaration, the Election Commission will issue a gazette notification soon declaring the Bogura-6 seat vacant, he said.

Clause (1) of article 71 of the constitution states that no individual may serve as a lawmaker for more than one constituency at the same time.

Clause (2) provides that if a candidate is elected from multiple constituencies, he must, within 30 days of the most recent election, notify the Election Commission in writing of the constituency he wishes to represent.

Failure to do so within the stipulated period will result in all the seats becoming vacant.

Until the constitutional requirements are fulfilled, the elected individual may neither take nor subscribe to the oath or affirmation as a lawmaker.

Separately, article 13A of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 stipulates that no person may contest in more than three constituencies at the same time.

The 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections saw the BNP secure an absolute majority with 209 of the 297 declared seats.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats and is set to serve as the opposition in parliament.

Voting took place in 299 of the 300 constituencies alongside a constitutional referendum.

Polling in Sherpur-3 was postponed following the death of a candidate, while results for Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4 remain pending under court orders.

The newly elected lawmakers, the new prime minister and members of the cabinet are scheduled to take the oath on Tuesday.