Jamaat for proportional representation in parliament

The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has proposed the introduction of a proportional representation system and the abolition of the electronic voting machine (EVM) system in parliamentary elections.

Under this proposed system, political parties would be allocated parliamentary seats in proportion to the total number of votes they receive nationwide during elections.

Additionally, the party has called for the cancellation of the political party registration system introduced in 2008, which it claims conflicts with the constitution, in order to ensure participatory elections.

It also called for the restoration of the caretaker government system in the constitution.

These demands were made during the presentation of their 'state reform proposals' at the Westin Hotel on Wednesday (October 9) at noon.

The proposals were presented on behalf of Jamaat Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman by the party's naib-e-amir, Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, who subsequently addressed various questions from journalists.

In his address, Taher emphasised that to ensure fair and transparent elections, a caretaker government system should be permanently enshrined in the constitution.

He argued that the EVM voting system, which has faced rejection in various countries, should be abolished to enhance election transparency.

Taher said, "No government employee should be eligible to run for any election for at least three years after leaving service."

He also called for local government elections to be conducted in a non-partisan manner. To promote participatory elections, he iterated the need to cancel the 2008 registration system for political parties.

Furthermore, Taher proposed the formation of a search committee, comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice, to appoint the Election Commissioner and other commissioners.

He suggested that arrangements be made for National Assembly elections to be held over multiple days, with the management of this process under the purview of the Election Commission.

State reform proposals in 10 sectors

Jamaat's state reform proposal includes reforms in ten key sectors: the electoral system, judiciary, law and order, foreign affairs, parliament, employment, education, and entertainment.

Abdullah Muhammad Taher outlined the need for significant reforms to ensure fair elections.

The party called for the separation of the judiciary from the executive branch, suggesting that legal amendments may be necessary.

It also recommended that the deputy speaker of the opposition party be appointed in parliament, and that the caretaker government system be reinstated to ensure local government elections are free from party influence.

The Islamist party further advocated for the abolition of British laws governing the police, insisting that party interference in police recruitment should cease.

It also proposed incorporating religious education into police training and advocated for a policy preventing former Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel from returning after 15 years.

The party stressed that reforms are essential to restore public confidence in RAB.