Awami League could return if PR system is used in polls: Manna
Manna, a former vice-president of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu), added that while student union elections may influence national politics to some extent, their outcomes are unlikely to change the overall results of the upcoming polls.
Nagorik Oikko President Mahmudur Rahman Manna today (20 September) warned that the Awami League could make a comeback in the upcoming national election if a proportional representation (PR) system is used.
"Under the current context, PR-based elections are not realistic. If the national election is held under this system, the Awami League could return through the Jatiyo Party," Manna said at a shadow parliament on "Impact of Student Union Elections on Upcoming National Elections," organised by Debate for Democracy at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC).
"The Jatiyo Party is no longer the tail but the head in the Awami League's strategy," he added.
Manna said the February elections are expected to proceed despite ongoing concerns. He cautioned that political developments over the next five months could bring about unforeseen changes.
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Manna, a former vice-president of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu), added that while student union elections may influence national politics to some extent, their outcomes are unlikely to change the overall results of the upcoming polls.
He pointed to a "silver line" of consensus emerging from the July Charter and expressed hope for its implementation.
Commenting on smaller parties, Manna said their unification ahead of the election is a positive development and that Nagorik Oikko will support such initiatives alongside the Gono Odhikar Parishad.
He opposed the inclusion of unregistered party members in the chief adviser's UN delegation.
The shadow parliament, chaired by Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, hosted a debate competition under the theme "Student Union Election Results Will Not Impact Upcoming National Elections."
"Most leaders of the ousted Awami League stand accused of genocide and are now publicly reviled, unable to contest elections. If the current political parties play a responsible role, I hope that, like the Ducsu and Jacsu polls, the February election will see the highest number of voters in the country's history queuing up in a festive mood to cast their ballots," Kiron said.
State University of Bangladesh debaters defeated their counterparts from Daffodil International University.
The panel of judges included Professor Abu Muhammad Rois, Tajul Islam Chowdhury Tuhin, and journalists Sayeedur Rahman, Maidur Rahman Rubel and Zakir Hossain Liton.
The winners received trophies, crests and certificates.
