Bangladesh is debating a proportional representation poll system – but some say it’s impractical

With the toppling of the Awami League-led government in Bangladesh after its 15-year stint in power, political parties have begun discussing the next round of elections in the country.

After numerous instances of rigging, fresh elections open up new possibilities for post-revolution Bangladesh and its democracy – Sheikh Hasina was elected prime minister for the fifth time in January in what was widely considered a compromised election.

Now, under the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus and the new election reform commission, proportional representation has emerged as a pivotal topic.

Proportional representation would ensure that each political party in an election has the number of representatives in parliament that reflects the number of votes its candidates receive.

Leaders from at least five political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami – the largest Islamist party, have expressed strong support for this electoral system. Shafiqul Islam Masud, a member of Jamaat-e-Islami’s executive council, told this correspondent that the party supports a proportional representation system, which it believes better reflects democratic practices.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has publicly opposed it so far. The party’s reluctance is likely due to its perception as the “party-in-waiting” after the ouster of the Awami League-led government.

Following its political decimation, it will be difficult for the Awami League to participate in the next round...

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