The BNP and its allies have accused certain political parties of trying to delay the next parliamentary election by demanding polls under a Proportional Representation (PR) system and insisting that local government elections be held first.
“Some parties are making irrational demands – introducing the PR system and holding local polls first. Their goal is to derail the electoral process and delay the national election,” said BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas.
His remarks came two days after Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) held a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, calling for state reforms and justice over recent incidents and national elections under the PR system.
IAB Ameer Reazul Karim told the rally, “There is no alternative to PR elections. Today’s rally clearly supports this system.”
The party also presented a 16-point demand that included PR elections for both houses of parliament and the completion of local government polls before national elections.
Leaders of several Islamist and smaller political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Nezame Islam, Khelafat Majlish, Islami Oikya Jote, Gono Odhikar Parishad and Amar Bangladesh Party, attended the rally in support of IAB.
Reacting to IAB’s stance, Mirza Abbas said, “This is the same group that once indirectly supported ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime and remained silent during flawed national elections and when the BNP and Jamaat were oppressed. Now they want local polls first and PR-only elections.”
BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan also criticised the PR demand, saying, “Those advocating PR now are working against the democratic aspirations of the people. Their motives serve personal and party interests.”
BNP Joint Secretary General Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee alleged a deeper conspiracy behind the push for PR.
“This is not just a policy debate; there’s a hidden agenda. If implemented, it could pave the way for fascism,” he said.
BNP leaders have also linked the demands for a PR system and early local polls to broader efforts to delay the general election.
They point to the absence of any government response following a joint statement issued after BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in London on 13 June.
That statement proposed holding the next general election before Ramadan in early 2026 if reforms and justice efforts progress adequately.
BNP insiders fear that new political demands – introducing the PR system, dissolving the current Election Commission, removing President Mohammad Shahabuddin, or banning the Jatiya Party – could be floated to destabilise the political environment and stall the election process. Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim also claimed international conspiracies were at play.
“The calls for PR elections and local government polls first are part of a broader plot to delay the national vote,” he told the Daily Sun.
Saiful Huq, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, dismissed the PR demand as untimely.
“Before any electoral system change, public opinion and political consensus are essential. Raising these issues now only invites confusion and division,” he said.
However, IAB leaders defended their position.
Party Spokesperson and Senior Joint Secretary General Gazi Ataur Rahman argued that previous national elections under the traditional system were chaotic and flawed.
“We believe PR elections and holding local polls first will strengthen democracy,” he said.
When asked whether IAB would contest the next general election if held under the traditional system, Rahman said, “If the people want it, we will accept it. The public wants PR elections and local polls first.”
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
