Says proportional representation would empower parties, not people, and harm democracy
Photo: UNB
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Photo: UNB
BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan today strongly opposed the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system, saying it would strengthen political parties while weakening the connection between citizens and their elected representatives, ultimately causing suffering for the public.
“PR basically weakens the position of an individual representative and strengthens the party instead,” he said while speaking at a seminar titled Election 2026: A Critical Look at Proportional Representation.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. Under the PR system, Moyeen explained, people would vote for a party rather than an individual candidate, and the party would then decide who becomes a member of parliament.
“This goes against our fundamental democratic spirit, where people elect their own representatives who are directly accountable to them,” he said.
He warned that empowering political parties at the expense of individuals would create a “self-contradictory system”, noting that Bangladesh’s political history shows how excessive party dominance often led to public suffering.
“Whenever political parties became too strong in the last 54 years, it ultimately brought suffering for the people,” he said.
Moyeen also argued that Bangladeshis are not yet mentally or intellectually ready for such a complex electoral process.
“People here want a simple system where they can clearly understand who represents them and who they are voting for,” he added.
He urged policymakers to evaluate the proposed system rationally, without emotional or partisan bias.
“Some people support PR only because they think it will give their party more seats in parliament. But that goes against the true spirit of democracy,” he said.
Emphasising inclusivity and accountability, the BNP leader concluded, “Democracy means majority rule with the consent and respect of the minority. Let us work together for the welfare of our people and build a truly democratic state, the kind of democracy for which Bangladesh was created in 1971.”
The event was organised by Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cosmos Group, at the Cosmos Centre in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area. United News of Bangladesh (UNB) was the media partner, while UNB Editor-in-Chief Enayetullah Khan presided over the session.