The country’s political crisis has further intensified due to growing disagreements among political parties, with uncertainty clouding the scheduled parliamentary election in February next year.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), insists that the general election should be held by February, in line with an understanding reached during a meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman in London this June.
In contrast, several parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), are demanding the national election under a proportional representation (PR) system, as part of state reform, as well as the completion of local government polls prior to the national election.
These parties have also been emphasising the need for justice over the July massacre and the signing of the July Charter ahead of the upcoming national election.
However, the BNP and its allies have strongly opposed these demands, advocating instead for the traditional first-past-the-post system and prioritising national election.
“A few parties are pushing for PR-based national polls and local elections first, in a deliberate attempt to create a political crisis,” Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, adviser to the BNP chairperson, told the media.
He added, “These demands come at a time when the country is navigating a transitional phase to resolve its crisis. Such interruptions risk destabilising the nation. Without stability, no positive change is possible.”
“The demand for holding a national election under the proportional representation (PR) system and for holding local government polls first is irrational. The PR system is not applicable to our country, and local government elections must be held under an elected government,” BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told the media on Saturday evening.
He said that differences of opinion are the beauty of democracy, but they should not be taken to the point of conflict. “If political chaos prevails, the ousted fascist forces may seize the opportunity to destabilise the country once again.”
Earlier on the day, while addressing a programme in South Keraniganj, Salahuddin Ahmed remarked, “A few days ago, some parties held a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan demanding proportional representation in both the lower and upper houses.”
“The dreams of those trying to prolong power without electoral legitimacy – under the guise of reform and justice – will become nightmares. We demand the necessary reforms to hold elections, and if needed, we will wage another movement for democracy,” he warned.
He also noted that parties that will lose security deposits in polls are demanding the introduction of the PR system.
At the same event, another BNP Standing Committee member, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, declared, “Elections must take place. No one can prevent the polls if we take to the streets. To those who say we’ve achieved nothing in the past 16 years, I say, just watch us now.”
He added, “The chief adviser made a promise to hold elections in February. We are holding onto that commitment and expect it will be honoured.”
BNP leaders argue that proposals for a PR-based election and holding local government polls beforehand are only fuelling division. They maintain that the PR system is not suitable for Bangladesh and that local government elections should take place under an elected national government.
Their goal, they say, is to bring about “meaningful” reform through a free, fair, and credible general election.
Meanwhile, Jamaat and IAB leaders also advocate for reforms, not only in the electoral process but across the administration, to ensure neutral and transparent polls.
On Wednesday, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman stated, “We want the message to be clear: we want all 125 million voters in Bangladesh to have the chance to express their will through the ballot. We must remain vigilant to ensure that no one conspires to derail this process.”
“All our leaders and activists, inspired by Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, must stay alert to any such threats,” he added.
Tarique Rahman also urged political parties to carefully weigh the implications of adopting a proportional representation system, warning that it could deepen national division.
“At this critical juncture, national unity is more important than ever. I appeal to all political leaders to reflect on whether a PR system might divide society and produce unstable governments, rather than fostering unity,” he cautioned.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) recently organised a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, demanding state reforms, justice for recent incidents, and elections under a PR system.
“There is no alternative to PR elections. Today’s rally is a strong endorsement of this system,” said IAB Ameer Reazul Karim during the event.
The party presented a 16-point demand that included proportional representation in both houses of parliament and completing local elections before the national vote.
Leaders from several Islamist and smaller parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Nezame Islam, Khelafat Majlish, Islami Oikya Jote, Gono Odhikar Parishad, and Amar Bangladesh Party, also attended the rally in support of IAB’s position.
Speaking at a programme in Feni on Saturday, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman stressed the need for fundamental reforms to ensure fair elections.
“We will not tolerate any administrative coup. There must be no electoral engineering in the coming polls,” he warned.
He observed that the PR system, if introduced, will bring to an end to the use of black money and muscle power in election. He also harshly criticised the BNP for opposing the PR system.
Speaking to the media, IAB Spokesperson and Senior Joint Secretary General Gazi Ataur Rahman stated, “If BNP rejects our demands for a PR-based election and local polls first, it would be unfortunate. We hope the BNP does not escalate the situation into conflict.”
Jamaat leaders have accused the BNP of rejecting meaningful reform proposals, while BNP officials argue that no substantial dialogue has occurred in the meetings of the consensus commission.
This ongoing disagreement over the electoral system, local government polls, and state reform has created significant uncertainty regarding the upcoming general election and has further exacerbated the political crisis.
Speaking to the media, political analyst Prof Sabbir Ahmed of Dhaka University’s Department of Political Science said, “I see this as a difference of opinion. However, for the sake of peace and national stability, such differences must not be allowed to escalate into open conflict.”
Courtesy: Daily Sun.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
