Nation divided over referendum, PR demands ahead of election: Salahuddin
He argued that the referendum can easily be held on the same day as the national election, using the same polling stations, officials, and ballot boxes
The nation is being divided over demands for a referendum and proportional representation (PR) which is a challenge ahead of the election, said BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.
"Dividing the nation over referendum and PR demands before the election is an electoral challenge," he said this at an event titled "Challenges and possibilities of making the upcoming election acceptable" at the National Press Club today (6 October).
Salahuddin said almost everyone agrees on taking public opinion for implementing the July Charter, but some insist the referendum should come first. He described attempts to delay the election as a key electoral challenge and emphasised that efforts to obstruct the process must be resisted.
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He added that the people are eager for a fair vote and will resist any attempts at irregularities, making the role of law enforcement secondary.
On banning political parties, he said that using executive orders would be dangerous for the future and insisted such decisions should be made through judicial processes.
He further added that the people had shown on 5 August that fascist politics are banned in the country, and international legitimacy requires this to happen through the courts.
Speakers at the event said divisions among political parties, delays in implementing the July Charter, and debates over holding a referendum have become major challenges for the upcoming election.
