BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said that any decision regarding the adoption of the Proportional Representation (PR) system in national elections should be left to the next parliament.
Speaking at an exchange of views with a delegation from the Christian community at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Fakhrul said: “If the representatives of the next parliament and the people support the PR system, then elections can be held accordingly. But this decision must come from the next elected body.”
He cautioned against implementing the PR system in the upcoming election, arguing that the public is largely unfamiliar with the method and that sudden adoption could lead to confusion and complications.
“The PR system is used in many countries, but our people are not accustomed to it. The current push for it seems abrupt and politically motivated,” he added.
Fakhrul described the demand for PR as a “misguided effort,” expressing concern that it could derail the broader goal of holding timely elections to restore democratic governance.
During the meeting, he called for the Christian community’s cooperation in the upcoming national election, emphasizing BNP’s commitment to building a non-communal Bangladesh.
“We want to build this nation as a ‘Rainbow Nation’,” he said.
Fakhrul also pledged that if BNP forms the next government, it will address the challenges faced by minority groups, including ethnic minorities and indigenous communities.
“We will take concrete steps to resolve the issues affecting the Christian community and other marginalized groups,” he assured.
