Schedule 3 · Third Schedule The oaths of office
Oaths and affirmations
The oath binds officeholders to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, which courts have treated as significant when judging their conduct. It also marks the exact moment their term of office begins.
After being elected by Parliament under Article 48, the new President takes the oath administered by the Speaker. The President swears to discharge the duties of the office faithfully according to law, and to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
The Prime Minister and other ministers take an oath of office and an oath of secrecy, both administered by the President. The secrecy oath forbids revealing matters that come before them as ministers, except as required for their duties.
Each newly elected MP takes an oath administered by the Speaker, promising to bear allegiance to Bangladesh, preserve the Constitution, and not allow personal interest to influence the discharge of their duties as a member of Parliament.
The Chief Justice is sworn in by the President, and other judges by the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice also administers the oaths of the Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commissioners, the Auditor-General and Public Service Commission members.
In plain English
How Third Schedule works
The Third Schedule contains the exact words of the oaths, or affirmations, that key officeholders must take before starting their jobs, as Article 148 requires. It covers the President, the Prime Minister and other ministers, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Members of Parliament, the Chief Justice and judges, Election Commissioners, the Auditor-General and Public Service Commission members. It also says who administers each oath: for example, the Speaker swears in the President, the President swears in ministers and the Chief Justice, and the Chief Justice swears in Election Commissioners. Ministers also take an oath of secrecy.
In practice
Oaths are taken at formal ceremonies at Bangabhaban, the Supreme Court or the Parliament complex. Where the person named cannot administer an oath, Article 148(2) and (2A) allow another to do so; on 17 February 2026 the Chief Election Commissioner swore in the newly elected MPs, as reported. Each oath binds the officeholder to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, and the judges' form also refers to the laws of Bangladesh. Several forms were revised by the Fourth, Twelfth and Fifteenth Amendments, including removing the Vice-President's oath.
The text
What Third Schedule says
THIRD SCHEDULE
[Article 148]
OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS
1. The President.– An oath (or affirmation) in the following form shall be administered by the [Speaker]–
“I, ............, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of President of Bangladesh according to law :
That I will bear true faith and allegiance to Bangladesh :
That I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution :
And that I will do right to all manner of people according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”
...
7. Chief Election Commissioner or Election Commissioner.– An oath (or affirmation) in the following forms shall be administered by the Chief Justice–
...
And that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions.”
...
Key clauses shown. Omitted text is marked with an ellipsis; read the full text on the official site.
English text as published on the official Laws of Bangladesh website. Where a court has changed the position, the status note above explains it.
History
Amendments
- Fourth Amendment 1975Changed who administers the oaths of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and omitted the words requiring the MPs' oath at a meeting of Parliament.
- Twelfth Amendment 1991Omitted the Vice-President's oath and the reference to the Deputy Prime Minister.
- Fifteenth Amendment 2011Made the Speaker administer the President's oath, omitted forms 1A and 2A, and substituted the oath of the Chief Justice and judges.
Connected provisions
Related articles
Questions
Third Schedule: frequently asked questions
Who administers the oath to the President of Bangladesh?
The Speaker of Parliament, under paragraph 1 of the Third Schedule. This was set by the Fifteenth Amendment in 2011, which substituted the Speaker for the Chief Justice in that paragraph.
What do ministers swear in Bangladesh?
Ministers take two oaths administered by the President: an oath of office to discharge their duties according to law and to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, and an oath of secrecy not to reveal matters that come before them as ministers.
Sources
- Laws of Bangladesh: Schedules to the Constitution (PDF)
- Laws of Bangladesh: The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
- Dhaka Tribune: Newly elected MPs take oath (17 February 2026)
This guide explains the Constitution for general understanding. It is not legal advice. Constitutional reform proposals under discussion in 2026 are described as proposals until enacted.
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