Disruption in democracy could bring a ‘dark horse’: Rizvi
The idea of proportional representation (PR) system is 'unrealistic and misleading,' he says
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (15 October) warned that any disruption in the democratic process could lead to the "entry of a dark horse", creating more uncertainty in the country's political situation.
Talking to reporters at the party's Nayapaltan headquarters, Rizvi said the current discourse around the proportional representation (PR) system was "unrealistic and misleading," questioning why some are suddenly branding it as the "best democratic model".
"In developed democracies like Britain and the United States, people directly elect their representatives. So why claim that PR is the ideal system? Such arguments are unnecessary and confusing," he told reporters.
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Without directly naming any group, Rizvi hinted that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is pushing for the PR system and a referendum before the national election "to misguide the public as part of a broader plan to derail the polls."
He called on all pro-democracy forces to remain united in ensuring the country's democratic progress. "Otherwise, a dark horse may step in and cause harm."
Rizvi said debates over PR continue even in advanced democracies.
"Japan, for instance, applies PR to only 37 percent of its system. Discussions and criticism are ongoing globally; no country has fully adopted it. So why impose it here all of a sudden?" he said.
On the issue of holding a referendum on the July Charter, the BNP leader suggested that both the referendum and the national election should be held on the same day for practicality and broader acceptance.
"Some want the referendum before the polls, but if elections take place in early or mid-February—before Ramadan—it won't be feasible to hold a separate referendum earlier," he said.
Rizvi also underscored the urgency of holding national polls soon, warning that the political and economic crises are worsening due to the absence of an elected government.
"Investment has fallen to almost zero. If there were an elected government, investors—both domestic and foreign—would have confidence to invest. Investment creates jobs and drives economic recovery," he said.
He cautioned that delaying the handover of power to elected representatives would only deepen the crisis further.
