Some Parties Want PR System To Keep Nation In Persistent Instability: Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday alleged that certain parties are pushing for a proportional representation (PR) system in the upcoming general elections to keep the nation divided and unstable, while blocking the most popular party from coming to power.

Speaking at the Supreme Court Bar Auditorium, he said less popular parties are seeking to increase their parliamentary seats through PR.

Salahuddin stressed that the election method is clearly defined in the constitution and advised Jamaat-e-Islami to study the national charter before making demands. He noted that Bangladesh has always followed the first-past-the-post system and there is no mention of PR in the constitution.

Islamic political parties including Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, along with some others, have been demanding the introduction of PR in both houses of parliament in the February polls. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), however, wants it only for the upper house. These parties have also been pressuring the interim government to adopt the system.

Calling their proposals “unconstitutional, unpolitical and illegal,” Salahuddin warned that such demands could endanger the nation and must not be entertained. He reminded the interim government that as a constitutional body, it has no legal authority to introduce any election method outside the national charter.

He further argued that PR would be unrealistic in Bangladesh, citing a recent survey that showed 56% of people do not understand the system. Meanwhile, Jamaat leaders’ claim that “70% people” support PR is only an attempt to “confuse the nation,” Salahuddin added.