60 eminent citizens call for upper house based on proportional representation

A group of 60 eminent citizens from diverse professional backgrounds has urged political parties in Bangladesh to agree on forming an Upper House of Parliament based on proportional representation (PR), calling it essential for greater accountability and democratic reform.

In a public statement released ahead of the first anniversary of the July Uprising, the signatories – including economists, lawyers, academics, activists, and entrepreneurs – expressed strong support for the ongoing reform discussions under the National Consensus Commission. They noted that while consensus exists around establishing a 100-member Upper House, disagreement remains on how its members will be selected.

The citizens argue that a PR-based Upper House would allow for broader political inclusion, especially for smaller parties that receive significant votes but fail to win seats in the current system. Such a structure, they say, would ensure better checks and balances in governance and reduce the risks of authoritarianism.

They cautioned that simply replicating the current seat allocation model from the Lower House would not bring meaningful change. Instead, a proportionally elected Upper House could act as a safeguard against undemocratic decisions and encourage a new political culture of dialogue and cooperation.

The statement concludes with optimism about the Consensus Commission's efforts, urging political leaders to adopt the PR model and enshrine it in the upcoming "July Charter," which aims to institutionalise the spirit of the July Uprising.

Signatories are - Irene Khan (human rights activist), Shahidul Alam (photographer), Asif Mohammad Shahan (teacher and political researcher), Manzoor Al Matin (lawyer), Fahim Mashroor (entrepreneur and organiser), Jyoti Rahman (economist), Zia Hasan (economist), Farah Kabir (human rights and development organiser), Dr. Rushad Faridi (teacher, University of Dhaka), Umama Fatema (student leadership), Ashraf Kaiser (journalist), Barrister Miti Farzana (lawyer), Dr. Atanu Rabbani (economist and professor), Mahruhk Mohiuddin (publisher), Dr. Imran Matin (development researcher), Dr. Mirza Hassan (social analyst), Dr. Ananya Raihan (economist and policy researcher), Zafar Sobhan (editor and writer), Shafiqul Rahman (political analyst), Rezaul Karim Roni (editor, Jaban), Dr. Rumi Ahmed (doctor and political analyst), Aminul Islam Imon (Swapati), Shahed Iqbal (medical researcher), Ehteshamul Haque (lawyer), Barrister Mushtaq Ahmed (lawyer), Syed Hasibuddin Hossain (writer and political analyst), Subail Bin Alam (writer and engineer), Islamul Haque (development economist), Selina Aziz (researcher and teacher), Sultan Mohammad Zakaria (educationist and researcher), Asif Bin Ali (researcher), Ronty Chowdhury (political analyst), Saif Shah Mohammad (lawyer), Masud Rana (lawyer), Nazifa Jannat (student organiser), Sadik Mahbub Islam (journalist and activist), Ahmad Islam Muksit (IT entrepreneur), Abdullah Al Mamun (engineer), Kaisar Chowdhury (entrepreneur), Millat Hossain (jurist and writer), Mohammad Miah Rad (investment advisor), Captain A. K. M. Motaharul Islam (mariner), Rakibul Hasan (technology writer), Rubayet Sarwar (development researcher), Nayeem Mohaiemen (filmmaker and professor), Prokash Chowdhury (entrepreneur), Galib Ibn Anwarul Azim (economist), Didar Bhuiyan (entrepreneur), Mostofa Kamal Polash (meteorologist), Mahbub Sadik (entrepreneur), Khaled Shafiullah (constitutional expert), Tarikul Islam Anik (researcher, law and constitution), Rony Mondol (engineer), Hasan Mahmud (entrepreneur), Syed Amin (entrepreneur), Mahmudul Khan Apel (engineer), Saiful Islam Sarkar (engineer), Tarek Hossain (entrepreneur), Humayun Kabir (economics researcher and activist).