BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has strongly opposed recent calls from rival parties for Bangladesh’s next general election to be held under a Proportional Representation (PR) system. Speaking at a meeting in South Keraniganj on Saturday, he said those advocating for the model are trying to recover ground after repeated electoral losses.
“Parties that are likely to forfeit their deposits are now suggesting changes to the electoral structure. This is not about reform. It’s about survival,” Salahuddin told attendees.
Accusations of Political Motives
The BNP leader was direct in naming groups he believed were misrepresenting public sentiment. He mentioned Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), suggesting they were misleading the public into thinking a PR system is widely demanded.
“They’re pushing the PR model as if people are asking for it—but most don’t even understand it,” he said. “Let’s be clear about what’s really driving this.”
He brought up the recent rallies where parties were pushing for this change, and basically called their sincerity into question. He seemed to find it suspicious that some of the loudest voices are groups that, not too long ago, were on the Awami League’s side.
“Some of them were literally fanning Sheikh Hasina just a few years ago. Now they’re talking about fairness and balance,” he said. “This isn’t consistency. It’s opportunism.”
Rejecting Sole Ownership of Historical Movements
Addressing recent political references to the July mass upsurge, Salahuddin cautioned parties against rewriting history.
“You’re not the only ones who stood up. BNP members were on the frontlines too. Don’t erase that,” he said, referring to Jamaat and NCP.
He also criticized what he called a selective use of past political rhetoric, warning parties not to exploit national memories or symbols solely for votes.
“Invoking Sheikh Mujib or Sheikh Hasina’s past doesn’t justify every demand. It’s not a blank check,” he added.
The PR Debate and Its Implications
Proportional Representation is a voting system where parties receive parliamentary seats in proportion to the number of votes they win nationally, rather than through constituency-based results. Supporters say it creates broader representation. Critics argue it risks fragmentation and weakens local accountability.
The fight over changing the election rules has really heated up ever since the Awami League was forced out of power last August.
Jamaat’s Shafiqur Rahman is stepping up as a vocal supporter of the proposed system change. And he’s not alone—groups like Islami Andolan, Gano Adhikar Parishad, and the NCP are backing him.
Still, the idea remains controversial.
Salahuddin doesn’t believe the timing or the rationale for PR adds up.
“They say they’re working for the people. Then let them show a clear plan, not just complaints,” he said.
For now, the debate continues. No formal framework has been put in place yet, and the major parties are still split. Whether the PR model moves forward will depend not just on politics, but on how voters respond.
