PR election system may fuel instability, autocracy, warns BNP’s Salahuddin

The proportional representation (PR) system of elections would create political instability and help establish autocracy by political parties, BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed warned today (25 September).

"PR stands for 'permanent restlessness'. We want to follow constitutional continuity. No political party's illegal or unconstitutional demands can be allowed to put the nation in crisis," he made the remarks while speaking at a seminar organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist British Students' Alliance at the Supreme Court Bar Auditorium.

Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, further said, "If the PR system is implemented, it would create frequent political instability, benefiting those who want the country to remain uncertain."

"We gave our lives to end autocracy — will it now be re-established through PR? Under this system, if votes are cast for a party, the public will not know who will become an MP. That decision will be made by the party's top leaders, such as the president, secretary, standing committee or Majlis-e-Shura. In this way, party autocracy will be established," he added.

He also said voters will lose their importance and their right to choose if party leaders alone decide who becomes a parliament member.

"Since 1970, we have fought for direct elections — one person, one vote — which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Introducing PR undermines that system. Party autocracy will dominate, and individual autocracy will also be reinforced. Those chosen by the party leaders will become MPs, while the people's choice will no longer matter. The public will only be allowed to cast votes, but will have no real say in who represents them," the BNP leader said.

Salahuddin criticised PR-related surveys, saying they were misleading. "One survey shows 56 per cent of people do not understand PR, yet another claims 70 per cent want PR. How can 70 per cent want it if 56 per cent do not even understand it? Such misleading claims only confuse the nation."

He also warned that the PR system would weaken direct democratic participation. "If people cannot know in advance which candidates will be elected, where is direct democratic involvement? Accountability of elected representatives will suffer."

The BNP leader said any political reform must consider Bangladesh's democratic structure, social conditions, political history and electoral history.

Salahuddin called for reforms that respect constitutional provisions and ensure transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in elections.