Lower house will be based on constituencies, upper house to adopt PR system: Badiul Alam
He says both systems have positive, negative aspects
The lower house of parliament will be elected based on constituencies, while the proposed upper house would follow the proportional representation (PR) system, Badiul Alam Majumdar, chief of the Election Reform Commission and secretary of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), said today (19 September).
"Both systems have their advantages and drawbacks, but we believe their introduction is necessary," he told the media after a discussion session organised by SHUJAN in Meherpur.
Badiul Alam added that discussions are ongoing on the strengths and weaknesses of both the proportional representation and constituency-based systems.
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"With consultations with stakeholders, the country is moving towards a successful election. Reform proposals have been submitted by both the election and the constitution reform commissions," he said.
He further said they are optimistic a fair and neutral election can be held through consensus.
"The commission is working towards this goal and engaging with political parties to ensure free, fair, and impartial polls," he said, acknowledging that disagreements remain on certain issues.
"Through elections, an elected government will be formed, which will broaden the path for democratic advancement," he added.
Meanwhile, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam today said their party has distanced itself from the ongoing simultaneous movement by Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties as it opposes the PR system in the lower house.
At the party's coordination committee meeting, Nahid, however, said the NCP supports PR in the upper house. "We only demand PR in the upper house, along with an effective mechanism for accountability. The July Charter must be implemented with that in mind."
Addressing future political strategies, the NCP leader said, "At this moment, we aren't considering alliances with major political parties. We will move forward independently with our own political objectives and unite the people."
