Complications surrounding upcoming national parliamentary elections are intensifying, with new challenges and political disagreements surfacing daily. Both the interim government and the Election Commission (EC) remain silent on the election timeline, fueling public doubt and speculation.
Tensions escalated following a London meeting between Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on June 13, which drew criticism from various political parties.
Several political groups have demanded electoral reforms, with some calling for the adoption of a Proportional Representation (PR) system instead of direct elections. Others insist that no election should be held without justice and reforms.
Regarding this Tarique Rahman warned that repeatedly raising new demands could embolden conspiratorial forces and divide the country.
He requested political leaders to seriously consider whether the demand for a PR system election could lead to a divisive society and an unstable government instead of unity in the country.
Tarique also urged everyone to seriously consider whether the path to rehabilitation of defeated evil forces is being paved under the cover of the proportional electoral system.
Sources said leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP) were particularly upset by the Yunus-Tarique meeting and the proposal to hold elections in early February without wider consultation. They continue to press for reforms before any election date is finalized and have warned against rushing into polls.
Initially, they demanded a proportional PR system instead of direct elections, but later, they gathered at Suhrawardy Udyan with several other parties, including the Islami Andolan, and made this demand in unison.
NCP leaders including Nahid Islam and Hasnat Abdullah have also announced that the party will not participate in the national elections until the reforms and trial process are completed. Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP are often demanding local government elections before the national elections.
Last Friday, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman stated that meaningful elections cannot take place without first creating an appropriate political environment through reforms. He said that what is the point of elections, what kind of elections will there be?
NCP convener Nahid Islam said, “Trial, reform, then elections.”
Though three weeks have passed since the London meeting, speculation and doubts have arisen as the government has not given any clear message to the Election Commission regarding the elections in February.
Recently, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin met with the Chief Adviser of the interim government. During the long-running meeting, the Chief Adviser did not give the CEC any clear message regarding the election.
BNP National Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas said, “The people of the country are used to the conventional election system. Therefore, the conspiracy to postpone the 13th National Parliament election by demanding elections under the PR system will not succeed.”
Another Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “If the Chief Adviser’s office and the Election Commission had given an idea about the time and related matters of the next election, we would have been assured. But that has not happened yet. I hope they will clarify the matter very soon.”
Regarding the demand for elections under the PR system, he said, “Those whose deposits will be forfeited in direct elections want elections under this system. They do not want elections to be held at the right time.”
(Translated by Tanvir Raihan)
