No progress on PR within national consensus talks: Nazrul Islam Khan
- Update Time : 06:54:13 am, Sunday, 6 July 2025
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BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan stated that formal discussions on the Proportional Representation (PR) system have not yet begun within the National Consensus Commission. Speaking at an emergency press conference on Sunday (July 6) at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, he emphasized that questioning BNP’s sincerity about political reform is deeply unjust. He pointed out that while PR is a concept applied differently across countries to uphold democracy, those advocating for it in Bangladesh have not provided clear details on its implementation, leaving the idea vague and speculative. Khan contrasted this with the previous attempts to introduce Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which included extensive campaigns and training despite eventual failure to implement the system effectively. Allegations of corruption also surrounded allowances for those involved. In comparison, PR would mean a complete overhaul of the electoral system, not just a method of casting votes. He questioned whether the public or civil society had been consulted on PR, highlighting that even the Consensus Commission has yet to hold formal discussions on the matter. Concluding, Khan asserted that reforms must be thoroughly considered and motivated by the public interest—not tailored for the advantage of any specific political group.
