PR being forcibly introduced, Bangladeshis barely understand system: Rizvi
“Those who are politically orphaned are the ones advocating for this PR system,” Rizvi said.
Proportional representation (PR) is being forcibly introduced in Bangladesh as people in the country bear no understanding of the system, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said today (10 July).
"People of this country have no idea what the PR system really is…Though it is widely debated in many countries, it is being forcibly introduced in Bangladesh," Rizvi said at a programme in Mirpur in the capital.
"Those who are politically orphaned are the ones advocating for this PR system," Rizvi said.
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Rizvi said, "In your locality, you should be able to vote for someone who works hard and truly represents the people. But under the PR system, it won't be your preferred candidate. You'll be represented by someone chosen by the party. This is not an acceptable system."
"People in this country are used to voting for individuals. They will be confused and misled by this process," Rizvi added.
Accusing the interim government of conspiring to delay the national election under the guise of electoral reforms, Rizvi further said, "[Ousted] Sheikh Hasina enjoyed the benefits of a one-sided election. Now, under the pretense of reforms, there is a plot to postpone the election."
"If there are no legitimate building blocks, what exactly are they planning to reform? Only an elected parliament can bring about reforms," he added.
The event was presided over by Aminul Haque, convener of BNP's Dhaka North unit, and was also addressed by the unit's member secretary Mostafa Zaman, among others.
