Parwar Urges PR Vote, Warns Against Authoritarian Rule

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Parwar on Friday was speaking as chief guest at a protest rally at Rangpur Public Library ground

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Parwar on Friday accused political leaders opposing the proportional representation (PR) system of protecting their personal interests through nomination trading.

Speaking as chief guest at a protest rally at Rangpur Public Library ground, he argued that the PR system would end the culture of buying and selling nominations, which many political leaders rely on. “Those who cannot profit from nomination trading are the ones standing against PR,” he said.

Calls for referendum on PR

Parwar demanded a national referendum on the PR system, stressing that ignoring electoral reforms would only strengthen authoritarian rule. “If the majority supports PR, the government must accept it. If not, we will accept the people’s verdict,” he declared.

According to him, surveys by local and international organisations show that nearly 70 percent of Bangladeshis support the PR system. He pointed out that 25 out of 31 political parties in the National Unity Commission are in favour of it.

Criticism of political leaders and CEC

Dismissing comments from BNP leaders who claimed ordinary citizens do not understand PR, Parwar called their remarks misleading and irresponsible. “Comparisons between PR and electronic voting machines (EVMs) are absurd and intended to confuse people,” he added.

He also criticised the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) for declaring that PR is not part of the constitution, accusing him of echoing BNP’s stance. “The constitution does not prescribe a fixed electoral system. A referendum must decide the people’s choice,” Parwar insisted.

Warning over July declaration and talks abroad

Parwar further criticised the chief adviser for holding talks in London with BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman and issuing joint statements from abroad. He alleged that the July declaration on electoral reforms was finalised with BNP but not with Jamaat, which he said raised questions about fairness.

He warned that failing to provide legal recognition for the July declaration and refusing to introduce electoral reforms would “pave the way for another era of fascism.”

Rally ends with city-wide march

The rally, organised to press Jamaat’s five-point demand including recognition of the July declaration and elections under the PR system, concluded with a large demonstration in Rangpur city.

Thousands of leaders and activists marched from Town Hall field to Shapla Chattar, chanting slogans in favour of PR and broader electoral reforms.

The rally was chaired by Rangpur city Jamaat amir ATM Azam Khan and attended by senior central and regional leaders including Maulana Momtaz Uddin, Professor Mahbubur Rahman Belal, Professor Golam Rabbani, KM Anwarul Haque Kajol and Maulana Enamul.