Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, which has been pressing for a referendum next month to adopt the July Charter, has reiterated its demand for incorporating a proposal on adopting the proportional representation (PR) system in parliamentary elections in the proposed referendum.
The demand was made by the party's secretary general, Mia Golam Porwar, while addressing a mass rally, which was held after Jumma prayers near the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka on Friday.
Presided over by Muhammad Selim Uddin, a member of Jamaat's central executive council and Ameer of Dhaka North city unit, the rally was attended by a good number of the party's central leaders.
The Islamist party has been pushing for the referendum, scheduled for November 2025, to implement the July Charter.
On October 8, after emerging from the dialogue between the National Consensus Commission (NCC) and political parties, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said his party wants the referendum on the July National Charter 2025 to be held in November 2025 before the next national election.
Jamaat-e-Islami also said public opinion should determine whether the PR system will be adopted in the country's electoral process or not.
The rally was held as part of the second phase of Jamaat's simultaneous movement over five key demands - including full implementation of the July Charter and holding the next national election under the PR system.
"People's views on the proposed PR system must be taken into consideration," Porwar said.
"If the majority of the people support it, all parties should accept that. And if the majority rejects it, Jamaat-e-Islami will also accept their views. But disregarding the PR system without seeking people's opinions is unacceptable," he said.
After the rally, a procession of Jamaat's passed through Zero Point and Paltan before ending in Kakrail.
Earlier on October 8, the party secretary general Porwar, issued a statement, urging the people to hold a mass rally on October 10.
Meanwhile, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, at a separate rally said a favorable environment has now been created in the country to bring Islamic forces to power.
For taking advantage of this opportunity, he laid emphasis on implementing the proportional representation (PR) system.
The Charmonai Pir made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a workers' rally organised to mark the founding anniversary of the Islami Sramik Andolan, the labour wing of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Friday.
The Islami Andolan chief said to ensure fair representation in the country's democratic politics, the next national elections must be held under the PR system.
He further said under the existing electoral system, the true opinions of the people are not reflected in the national parliament. As a result, inequality, instability, and undue influence prevail in national politics.
Describing the allocation of parliamentary seats in proportion to the percentage of votes received by parties as the most democratic and just system, the Charmonai Pir said such a system would preserve the value of each vote, enable smaller and newer political parties to gain representation, and strengthen national unity and stability.
Islami Andolan Presidium members Ashraf Ali Akon and Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary General Hafez Maulana Yunus Ahmad, Senior Joint Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, Islami Sramik Andolan Secretary General KM Billal Hossain, among others, were present at the rally.
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