As Bangladesh prepares for its 13th national parliamentary elections, calls for electoral reform, have gained fresh momentum. Central to the ongoing discussions is the consideration of a Proportional Representation (PR) voting system, a method in which parliamentary seats are allocated according to the proportion of votes each party receives nationwide. While some political parties argue that PR could ensure greater fairness and inclusivity, others express deep reservations about its applicability and timing in Bangladesh's current political and electoral context.
Jamaat-e-Islami, Islamic Andolon and NCP have been publicly declaring that there will be no election without PR system and reforms.
On the other hand, BNP and its allies have strongly opposed the PR system. The leaders term the demand for PR system as a conspiracy to delay the February National Election.
Left political parties have also opposed the PR system.
To understand how the public views the PR system, The Daily Observer engaged with citizens across different walks of life. The responses revealed a broad spectrum of opinion. While some welcomed the concept of PR as a step toward inclusive governance, many felt it was too soon to implement such a significant change-particularly ahead of a potentially high-stakes election expected by February next.
Legal scholar Dr Md Rabiul Islam, a professor at Jahangirnagar University, emphasized the need for clarity before any such reform is introduced. "The PR system still carries a lot of ambiguity," he said. "We need answers to key questions: how will independent candidates participate? How will parties select candidates for a non-constituency-based system? In a political culture where nominations are sometimes influenced by financial transactions, PR could open new avenues for malpractice. While it may benefit smaller parties, the general electorate may feel detached from their representatives. A bicameral legislature with PR in the Upper House could be a more suitable alternative."
Lawyer Ahsan Uddin raised additional logistical and institutional concerns. "PR is not just a voting method-it requires systemic readiness. The Election Commission would need restructuring with trained and capable officials. More importantly, there must be national consensus among political parties and public education on how the system works. Implementing PR without adequate preparation risks voter confusion and political instability."
Activist and community organizer Zafar Sadiq cautioned against potential misuse of the system. "We must be careful not to adopt a model that could allow authoritarian forces to retain power under a new guise. The public is still largely unfamiliar with PR. Tea sellers, laborers-most people don't understand how it works.
Political parties have failed to communicate its purpose. While PR could make elections fairer by limiting one-party dominance and reducing wasted votes, implementation without public engagement could be disastrous."
Journalist Zulfekar Dihan also acknowledged the challenge of timing. "The PR system has merit, but implementing it in such a short timeframe is unrealistic. With the next election looming, it would be extremely difficult to raise awareness in rural and marginalized areas. People here vote for individuals, not ideologies. Unless political parties can agree and initiate massive civic education campaigns soon, PR may not be viable before the upcoming polls."
Nadia Afroze, a university lecturer, stressed that reform should be holistic and strategic. "Electoral reform cannot be limited to changing the voting method. The broader institutional structure needs review and renewal.
While PR is used effectively in developed democracies, we must be cautious about transplanting such systems without proper groundwork. Reforms must be sustainable and carefully considered."
Banker Arfin Hossain remarked, "Whether the PR system is suitable or not depends largely on the political maturity of the country. Parties that receive more votes may be unwilling to give up seats, which could lead to greater political unrest. Moreover, some businesspersons might form political parties solely to gain power and exploit the PR system for personal gain. If implemented now, the system might cause more harm than good."
