BNP doesn’t believe in PR system: Dr Zahid

“BNP does not believe in the PR electoral system under any circumstances. Those who are speaking about PR today can go to the people and see what they want. A system cannot be imposed upon the people to achieve partisan interests under any condition,” he said. 

Dr Zahid made the remark while talking to journalists before attending the condolence meeting of Rangpur district BNP member-secretary Anisur Rahman Laku at the District Shilpokola Academy auditorium in the city this afternoon, reports BSS. 

He said, “Those who are seeking excuses to prolong elections by bringing up new ideas can do so. However, the people of Bangladesh have been accustomed to direct voting for the past 54 years. The Constitution of Bangladesh provides for the election of representatives through direct votes. The people of Bangladesh believe in this.”

Referring to the political parties to mention PR system in their manifestos, the senior BNP leader said, “The parties that are talking about PR can mention it in their election manifestos. If the people of the country entrust them with the responsibility of running the country, then they can implement the PR system. But in the history of the last 60 years, how many of their representatives were represented in Parliament? Did the people of the country ever give them any responsibility?” 

“As a political party, we have experience running the country in the past. Based on that, BNP believes that elections must be held using the current, ongoing system according to the present situation,” he added.