Dhaka, Feb. 21 -- The first session of the 13th Parliament may be convened on Mar 12 or a few days earlier, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said.

On Saturday evening, the BNP Standing Committee member said the speaker and deputy speaker will be elected in this session.

According to the Constitution, the president must summon the first session of a newly elected parliament within 30 days of the gazette notification of election results, following written advice from the prime minister.

The parliamentary elections and referendum were held on Feb 12, with results gazetted the next day.

Newly elected MPs took their oaths on Feb 13, making the first session mandatory before Mar 14.

"The session will also present interim government ordin...