Staff Correspondent:

Some parties are demanding proportionate representation (PR) system in the upcoming general elections to keep the nation in persistent disunity and instability, while preventing the most popular party from assuming power, alleged BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday.

Those parties who are less popular want to increase their seats at the parliament through the PR system, the BNP leader said while speaking at the Supreme Court Bar Auditorium.

The election method is clearly stated in the constitution, and Jamaat-e-Islami must first read the national charter to learn about the process, Salahuddin said.

There is no mention of the PR system in the constitution, and first-past-the-post has been the only election process throughout Bangladesh history.

Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish and some other Islamic political parties are demanding the introduction of PR system in both houses of the parliament in the February general elections. NCP wants the system only in the upper house.

The parties have been putting pressure on the interim government to launch the system in elections.

Salahuddin denounced all these parties for making their “unconstitutional, unpolitical and illegal demands,” which can push the nation into danger and, therefore, must not be entertained, Salahuddin said.

He apparently warned the interim government against pursuing the PR demand.

The interim government is a constitutional government, and thus must follow the constitutional provisions, Salahuddin said, suggesting the government has no legal scope to introduce an election process that violates the national charter.

The BNP leader also said the PR system would be unrealistic in Bangladesh. Citing a recent survey, he said 56% people don’t understand the system.

Jamaat leaders claim “70% people” want the PR system, but they are only “confusing the nation” with such remarks, Salahuddin said.