Strongly opposing the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system, BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday said it would only strengthen political parties while weakening the link between people and their elected representatives, ultimately causing suffering for the public.

“PR basically weakens the position of an individual representative and strengthens the party instead,” he said while speaking at a seminar.

The seminar, titled ‘Election 2026: A Critical Look at Proportional Representation’, was arranged by Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cosmos Group, at the Cosmos Centre in the capital’s Moghbazar area. United News of Bangladesh (UNB) was the media partner of the event.

Under the PR system, Dr Moyeen, a BNP Standing Committee member, said people would vote for a party, not an individual, and the party would then decide who becomes a member of parliament. “This goes against our fundamental democratic spirit, where people elect their own representatives who are directly accountable to them.”

He warned that making parties stronger while weakening individuals would create a “self-contradictory system,” noting that in Bangladesh, people have always wanted to prevent political parties from becoming too powerful.

“Whenever political parties became too strong in the last 54 years, it ultimately brought suffering for the people,” the BNP leader said.

Dr Moyeen Khan also observed that Bangladeshis are not yet mentally or intellectually prepared for such a complicated electoral process. “People here want a simple system where they can clearly understand who represents them and who they are voting for.”

He urged all to consider the PR issue with an open mind and avoid emotional decisions. “Some people support PR only because they think it will give their party more seats in parliament. But that goes against the true spirit of democracy.”

Referring to countries like the United Kingdom — which Westminster model Bangladesh follows — he said they do not use PR, raising the question of whether such a system fits Bangladesh’s social and political reality.

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Moyeen Khan said Bangladesh must respect its constitutional process. “We cannot introduce a system or make laws based on the wishes of a few individuals or parties. If we do that, then how are we different from the one-party rule we once opposed?”

The BNP leader reminded that differences of opinion are a natural part of democracy. “Democracy means majority rule with the consent and respect of the minority. Everyone must work together for the welfare of the people and build a truly democratic system — the kind of democracy for which Bangladesh fought its Liberation War in 1971.”

He called upon all parties to focus on building a democratic, inclusive and accountable political system that reflects the will of the people, not the dominance of any single party.

The BNP leader said it is painful to hear claims that BNP is opposing or obstructing reforms.

He recalled that all parties once worked together to oust an authoritarian regime and restore democracy through a free and fair election. “So, why is this sudden division now? We must reflect on that.”

Moyeen Khan also said European countries introduced proportional representation (PR) based on their own culture, history, and social diversity. “Europe’s society and mindset are different. They adopted PR in various forms to include minorities in the mainstream. But there’s no single model of PR — each country has its own version.”