PR means permanent restlessness, warns Salahuddin, alleges AL favours the wind

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has issued a stark warning that any delay in holding national elections will pave the way for the resurgence of fascism and undemocratic forces in Bangladesh.

Speaking as chief guest at a seminar marking the 37th founding anniversary of the National Democratic Party (NDP) at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh on Saturday, Salahuddin strongly opposed moves toward a Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, calling it a recipe for chronic instability.

“PR means permanent restlessness,” he declared. “There is no stable governance under this system – prime ministers change every few months, governments collapse, and no party can fulfil its promises to the people. We cannot push a country like Bangladesh into such chaos.”

He alleged that a “PR wind” is now blowing through the Awami League’s activities, claiming that many parties who previously contested the controversial “me and dummy” elections are now actively promoting proportional representation. “They’ve created a PR wave across all Awami League operations,” he said.

Salahuddin questioned the very logic of PR in the Bangladeshi context: “Is there any space for independent candidates in a PR system? Will they lose their constitutional rights?” 

He dismissed recent survey claims that 70 per cent of citizens support PR as “misleading,” noting that 56 per cent of the population reportedly doesn’t even understand what PR entails. 

“This isn’t public opinion, it’s manufactured confusion,” he asserted.

He urged political actors not to “sacrifice national interests for petty party gains” and warned that delaying or sabotaging elections would only empower authoritarian forces. “Trying to postpone the polls is an open invitation to undemocratic elements,” he said.

On constitutional reform, Salahuddin cautioned against hasty changes. “The constitution is not child’s play. We cannot gamble with the fate of 180 million people,” he stressed, recalling that even the original 1972 Constitution required amendments within a year of adoption. “Framing a new constitution doesn’t guarantee permanence or stability,” he added.

Calling for inclusive democratic practice, he emphasised the need for debate, pluralism, and national consensus on critical issues. “There will be disagreements but on matters of national importance, we must unite so that the people of this country truly win.”

The NDP chairman, Abdullah Al Harun (Sohel), presided over the event. Also present were Dr Fariduzzaman Farhad, Coordinator of the Like-minded Alliance and Chairman of the National People’s Party (NPP), along with other NDP leaders.

In a separate remark during the discussion, Salahuddin condemned Israel’s attack on a Gaza-bound flotilla and urged the United Nations to assume a responsible role in protecting humanitarian missions.