BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has rejected calls for a proportional representation (PR) voting system, arguing it would only benefit less popular parties and risk permanent political instability in Bangladesh.
Speaking at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist British Law Student Alliance (BNBLSA) at the Supreme Court on Thursday, September 25, Salahuddin said PR was being promoted for two reasons: “to secure more seats and to create disunity so that the majority party cannot come to power.”
He warned that adopting such a system could pave the way for “another fascist or weak government like Sheikh Hasina’s.”
“The system of voting is clearly stated in the constitution,” Salahuddin stressed. “It mentions the election of people’s representatives through direct voting. Jamaat will have to read the constitution to understand that.”
The BNP leader further cautioned that the nation “cannot be put in danger by accepting any unconstitutional, unpolitical or illegal demands of any political party.” He insisted that the current interim administration was a constitutional government and must operate by maintaining continuity.
Citing survey data, Salahuddin noted that while “56 per cent of people do not even understand what PR is,” Jamaat-e-Islami has claimed that “70 per cent of people want PR.”
He said such narratives were an attempt to mislead the public.