Include proposal of PR system in the referendum

Jamaat-e-Islami, calling for a referendum in November to implement the July Charter, has demanded that a proposal for the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system in the national election be incorporated in the referendum.

"If the people support the PR system in the referendum, all parties must accept it. If the majority reject it, Jamaat-e-Islami will also accept the decision. But the PR system cannot be ignored without seeking the people's opinion," Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said while addressing a rally in the capital yesterday.

"We urge the government and the consensus commission to reach an agreement on the PR system before signing the July Charter to fulfill the nation's aspirations."

The rally and subsequent procession were held near the South Gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Juma prayers as part of the second phase of a simultaneous movement launched by several parties, mainly Islamists. They are demonstrating over a five-point demand, including full implementation of the July Charter and holding the next election under the PR system.

In mid-September, seven political parties, including Jamaat and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, held a three-day joint programme to press home the demands.

The parties also carried out campaigns across the country from October 1 to 9 to drum up support for their demands.

Rallies and processions were also held in all divisional cities yesterday. Marches and submission of memorandums to deputy commissioners are slated for tomorrow.

During talks with the consensus commission, political parties have agreed in principle to hold a referendum on implementing the July Charter. However, they remain divided over its timing. The BNP supports holding it alongside the parliamentary election in February, a proposal Jamaat opposes.

Jamaat, National Citizen Party, and several other parties have been demanding the PR system in the national polls, while the BNP and a few others strongly oppose it, insisting on maintaining the current first-past-the-post voting system, where the candidate with the most votes wins.

PR is an electoral system where seats are allocated based on the proportion of votes each party receives.

Speaking at yesterday's rally, Jamaat leader Porwar criticised those opposing the PR system and said, "Some parties are mocking the legitimate demand of the majority by saying people don't understand PR or sarcastically asking whether PR is something to eat or wear. But the people are now uniting in favour of it.

"Any politician or intellectual has the right to hold a differing opinion on any issue or process, but no one has the right to ignore such an important issue raised by a major political party."

The Jamaat leader also alleged that a level playing field is absent in the upcoming election.

"Many police officers, DCs, UNOs, Secretariat officials, and even some advisers of the interim government have made their roles questionable. By favouring certain parties and making partisan appointments, they are trying to influence the election.

"This practice must stop to ensure a level playing field. Every party, big or small, must be able to enjoy equal political, constitutional, and Election Commission-guaranteed opportunities freely and equally."

Meanwhile, activists of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, another party in the simultaneous movement, took out a procession from Suhrawardy Udyan after a brief rally following Asr prayers. The event was led by the party's Ameer, Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim.

In a press release, the party said similar programmes were held in other divisional cities, adding, "We are proposing the PR system to ensure that autocracy never returns to the country. The government's indifference on this issue is unacceptable."

At another rally near the Baitul Mukarram Mosque's North Gate after Juma prayers, Maulana Mamunul Haque, ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, said, "Let me make it clear that the national election in February must be held based on a legal framework that ensures the implementation of July Charter. There is no alternative to this."

In the afternoon, Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa)brought out a procession from Bijoynagar to the Jatiya Press Club and held a brief rally there.

Spokesperson Rashed Pradhan reiterated their demand for the PR system and called for holding the referendum by December.

Around the same time, Nezame Islam Party took out a procession near the Jatiya Press Club, the party's executive member BM Amir Jihadi told The Daily Star.