Sri Lankans are voting in a parliamentary election Thursday that is key for the country's new, Marxist-leaning president to consolidate his party's power and follow through on promises of economic recovery. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won the presidential election on Sept. 21 in a victory that marked a rejection of the traditional political parties, which have governed the island nation since its independence from British rule in 1948. However, Dissanayake’s failure to secure more than 50% of the vote has fueled concerns over his party’s outlook in Thursday's election. His National People’s Power party must increase its votes significantly — from the 42% it won in the presidential election — if it is to acquire a minimum of 113 seats to take control of the 225-member Parliament. The biggest challenge for the NPP — which was founded in 2019 and is a relative newcomer on Sri Lanka’s political scene — is that many of its candidates are new faces in politics running against well-established politicians from the traditional parties. Of the 225 parliament seats, 196 are up for grabs under Sri Lanka's proportional representative electoral system, which allocates seats in each district among the parties according to the proportion of the votes they get. The remaining 29 seats — called the national list seats — are allocated to parties and independent groups according to the proportion of the total votes they receive countrywide. There are 8,821 candidates vying for the 196 seats for elected members of Parliament. Read: Train hits and kills 2 wild elephants in Sri Lanka as 2 of its fuel-carrying tankers derail Sajith Premadasa, who came in second in the presidential election and his Samagi Jana Balawegaya, or United People's Power party, is NPP's main competition. Dissanayake, while campaigning for his party’s candidates, has called on voters to help elect them to Parliament so he won’t need to rely on a coalition to enact the reforms he promised. Election results are expected on Friday. The election comes at a decisive time for Sri Lankans, as the island nation is struggling to emerge from its worst economic crisis, having declared bankruptcy after defaulting on its external debt in 2022. The country is now in the middle of a bailout program with the International Monetary Fund and debt restructuring with international creditors nearly complete. Dissanayake had said during the presidential campaign that he planned to propose significant changes to the targets set in the IMF deal, which his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe signed, saying it placed too much burden on the people. However, he has since changed his stance and says Sri Lanka will go along with the agreement. Sri Lanka’s crisis was largely the result of economic mismanagement combined with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which along with 2019 terrorism attacks devastated its important tourism industry. The pandemic also disrupted the flow of remittances from Sri Lankans working abroad. Read more: Sri Lanka closes schools as floods hammer the capital The government also slashed taxes in 2019, depleting the treasury just as the virus hit. Foreign exchange reserves plummeted, leaving Sri Lanka unable to pay for imports or defend its currency, the rupee. Sri Lanka’s economic upheaval led to a political crisis that forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign in 2022. Parliament then elected Wickremesinghe to replace him. The economy was stabilized, inflation dropped, the local currency strengthened and foreign reserves increased under Wickremesinghe. Nonetheless, he lost the election as public dissatisfaction grew over the government’s effort to increase revenue by raising electricity bills and imposing heavy new income taxes on professionals and businesses, as part of the government’s efforts to meet the IMF conditions. Dissanayake’s promise to punish members of previous governments accused of corruption and to recover allegedly stolen assets has also raised much hope among the people.

Just two months into the interim government, various discussions on electoral reforms, timelines and systems are gaining momentum, yet the voices and preferences of people seem to be lost in the noise. While one faction advocates for a parliamentary election, others are calling for a proportional representation system. The real question is: which form of government and electoral process best suits Bangladesh? A large segment of political parties is advocating for national elections to be held using a proportional representation (PR) system instead of the existing method. But the BNP, one of the major parties, opposes this approach and supports the current system. However, the Awami League's position in the evolving political landscape remains unclear. But election experts think neither the government, nor the political parties and voters are prepared for its introduction in the next polls. They say that while the PR system offers many potential benefits, its feasibility depends on strong political will, public support and the readiness of both political actors and the electorate to transition from the current first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. The experts suggest that the PR system could be incorporated into the constitution as a directive for future implementation, as it may help create a more vibrant parliament with diverse viewpoints, reduce the influence of money and muscle in elections, and prevent autocracy and fascism. PR, or proportional representation, is an electoral system where the distribution of seats aligns with the proportion of total votes each party receives. For instance, if a party gets 40 percent of the total votes, the PR system would allocate 40 percent of the seats for it in parliament. “PR is a good election system. I support it and I have even written a book on why it’s necessary for Bangladesh. However, we won’t be able to implement it in the next national election because we’re not ready. Our government, political parties and voters are unprepared for it,” said renowned election expert Dr Tofail Ahmed. Read more: Bangladesh needs election-time neutral govt for fair polls: Speakers  He noted that around 70 to 80 countries currently practise some form of proportional representation system worldwide. “It’s encouraging that political parties are advocating for the introduction of the system. However, our voters lack knowledge about it. We must first educate them, and this process will take time to ensure people understand it,” he said. Besides, the election expert said the PR system encompasses various forms and definitions, reflecting different approaches to achieving proportionality in electoral outcomes. “We need a political consensus on which one we will adopt.” He said that a significant barrier to implementing this system is that major parties may not accept it, as it could disrupt their dominant power and make it more difficult for them to secure a majority. “The BNP and Awami League are our two main parties, sharing the support of the majority of voters in the country. The BNP is opposing this system, and we aren’t hearing the views from the Awami League due to the current political situation. I believe they may also not support it. Even if Jamaat had a larger voter base, they likely would not back it either,” Tofail said. He stated that smaller parties are in favour of the PR system, as it would provide them with the opportunity to secure seats that they might not obtain under the existing system. “So, implementation of this system is very challenging. We should give the political parties time to understand the PR process and its benefits. It won’t be wise to impose by the interim government without political consensus,” Tofail observed. He said the reform commission on the constitution can propose incorporating a guideline in the national charter for the introduction of the system and its implementation in phases. The election expert pointed out that the BNP is discussing a bicameral parliament and a national government, which could ensure the participation of people from diverse backgrounds in governance, creating a balance of power and facilitating lawmaking. “We should now focus on these two issues alongside the restoration of the caretaker government.” BNP seeks election roadmap, new EC based on political consensus Chairman of the Jatiya Nirbachon Parjabekkhon Parishad-Janipop, Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, said the PR system exists in various forms in about 80 countries worldwide, and he has been advocating for its implementation since the 1990s. He emphasised that it is crucial to convince the major political parties about the PR system. “Otherwise, it won’t be possible to introduce this system in the future.” Former bureaucrat Abu Alam Md Shahid Khan proposed a mixed electoral system that combines proportional representation (PR) with the existing traditional system by increasing the number of parliamentary constituencies from 300 to 450. “In that case, the current electoral system could apply to 300 constituencies, while the PR system would be used for 150 constituencies,” he explained. On October 9, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami presented a 10-point state reform proposal, including the introduction of the PR system. During a seminar on electoral reform on October 12, Jamaat leader Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki, Gana Adhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque, Jatiya Party Presidium member Shameem Haider Patwary, and CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince all advocated for the PR system. Additionally, some Islamic parties, including Islami Andolan Bangladesh, have also called for its introduction. Contacted, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the PR system is not suitable for Bangladesh. “We won’t support it. This method is not practised in Bangladesh, so there is no question of its application in the next election.” Read more: In FB post AL accuse interim govt of protecting the criminals

BNP on Monday alleged that the government has launched a fresh drive to arrest the leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies across the country ahead of the 12th parliamentary election. “Any peaceful programme of opposition political parties, including BNP, is being attacked and reckless mass arrests are being carried out. The Awami illegitimate regime has resorted to the old game of mass arrests of BNP leaders and activists across the country to cling to power again in illegal ways,” said BNP assistant office secretary Syed Imran Saleh Prince. Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also alleged that BNP leaders and activists who participated in the peaceful march at the union level on Saturday are being implicated in false and ghost cases. “The law enforcers and Awami cadres have now taken a position against the people ahead of the 12th parliamentary polls…even the ghost cases are being filed where the (road march) programme was held peacefully,” the BNP leader said. He said the ruling party activists along with police set fire to outdated motorcycles at some places to file false cases against the opposition leaders and activists. As per the information they have received as of Monday morning, Prince said 45 fresh false cases have been filed accusing 1706 identified and 4,517 unidentified opposition leaders and activists in connection with the union-level road march programme.   Read more: Govt rejects HRW statement over alleged crackdown on opposition Besides, he said, over 300 BNP leaders and activists were arrested in different ‘false’ cases while around 600 BNP opposition activists were injured in attacks by police and ruling party men in different places on Saturday.  “In fact, the Awami League and the government have got unnerved seeing the presence of a huge number of leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies in the road march programme in unions,” Prince observed. He said the government has started its repressive and suppressive acts out of political vengeance as the BNP leaders and activists made the union-level march programme a success defying all obstacles and attacks. “I would like to tell them that the 10-point movement has been accepted by the people and it has spread everywhere widely. The movement won’t be able to stop the movement by resorting to repression and plots. The fall of the illegal regime is imminent,” Prince said.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday expressed her optimism that the next parliamentary election in Bangladesh will be free and fair with spontaneous participation of all political parties. She mentioned that her government has taken various measurers to make the next national elections more acceptable and participatory. The premier said this while replying to a tabled question from Jatiya Party lawmaker Syed Abu Hossain (from Dhaka). She spelled out 11 significant measures taken by the government to make the next national election more acceptable and inclusive. The measures included ensuring environment for participation of all political parties and to carry out party activities in the election. The JP lawmaker from Dhaka-4 (Demra-Shyampur) asked the PM whether she has any special plan as the daughter of Father of the Nation to ensure participation of all registered political parties in the next parliamentary election to make it more acceptable and inclusive.  Hasina, also Leader of the House, said that as per the Article 118 (4) of the Constitution, the Election Commission is an independent and constitutional body. “The chief election commissioner and other election commissioners carry out their respective work independently in line with the constitution and the law. The government assists the Election Commission as per its requirement,” she added. Also read: PM Hasina: Padma Bridge is our national pride “(I) hope that the next national parliamentary polls will be held in a free and fair manner with participation of all political parties,” she said. The president of ruling Awami League said that the EC will remain independent in carrying out its activities and it will remain only under the jurisdiction of the constitution and the law. "It is the duty of the government and the executive authority to assist the EC in carrying out its activities,” she said. She said that it is Awami League which has been playing a leading role in flourishing and advancing the country’s democracy. "Therefore, the present government led by Awami League is playing sincere and positive role in creating suitable environment for holding free, fair and acceptable election,” she said. Saying that election is an essential element in the democratic system, she stated the role of Awami League in protecting Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and democracy is historical and undeniable. The PM said that her government has formulated election commission law in line with the Article 118 (1) of the constitution to hold the local body and national election in an acceptable and neutral manner. She also said 22 amendment proposals of opposition parties were accepted during placing of “Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Bill” which is the first step of making the election acceptable, free, fair and neutral. Hasina said voter list having photographs has been prepared to make the election fair and acceptable. Transparent ballot boxes have been ensured at the polling centres. Besides, electronic voting machines with modern system have been introduced.

Czech President Milos Zeman was rushed to the hospital on Sunday, a day after the country held parliamentary election in which populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis' party surprisingly came in second and Zeman has a key role in establishing a new government. The Czech presidency is largely ceremonial but the president chooses which political leader can try to form the next government. Earlier Sunday, Zeman met with Babis, his close ally, but the prime minister made no comment as he left the presidential chateau in Lany, near Prague. On Saturday, the centrist ANO (Yes) party led by Babis, a populist billionaire, narrowly lost the Czech Republic’s election, which could spell the end of the euroskeptic leader’s reign in the European Union nation of 10.7 million people. A liberal-conservative three-party coalition named Together captured 27.8% of the vote, beating Babis’ ANO, which won 27.1%. In a second blow to the populists, another center-left liberal coalition received 15.6% to finish third. The winning coalition won 71 seats while its third-place partner captured 37 seats to have a comfortable majority of 108 seats in the 200-seat lower house of Parliament, and they pledged to work together. Babis's party won 72 seats, six less than in the 2017 election. But Zeman earlier indicated he would first appoint the leader of the strongest party, not the strongest coalition, to try to form the government. That would give Babis a chance to give it a try to find a majority for his possible new government. Read: Amid pandemic, Czech intensive care ward is still half-full If he fails, as expected, and his latest government doesn’t win a mandatory confidence vote in the house, Zeman could ask him to try to create a new government again. That has happened before. With no deadlines for the president’s move, the country faced a long term of political instability from the October 2017 election until July the following year, when Babis’ second Cabinet finally won the confidence vote. “It would be no surprise if the election’s loss wouldn’t become reality for Babis for the following months,” said analyst Petr Just from Metropolitan University Prague. But unlike in 2017, this latest election produced a clear winner. Petr Fiala, the leader of Together and its candidate for prime minister, urged Zeman to accept the election results. “The opposition has gained a clear majority in the lower house,” Fiala said. “The Constitution clearly says that a government needs support of a majority. We’ll see what steps President Zeman is to take but it’s essential that he cannot ignore that.” In his only post-election comment, Zeman congratulated the election winner and all elected lawmakers. If Zeman is not able to act due to his illness or other reasons, the prime minister and the speakers of both houses of parliament will take over his presidential powers. If that happens, the new speaker of the lower house selects the premier. The parliament has to meet within 30 days of the election to select the speaker and other officials. In other election results, the anti-migrant and anti-Muslim force in the Czech Republic, the Freedom and Direct Democracy party, which wants the country to leave the EU, finished fourth with 9.6% support, or 20 seats. In another surprise, the Social Democrats and the Communists, the country’s traditional parliamentary parties, both failed to win seats in parliament for the first time since the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993. Read: UK rises to 35 coronavirus cases, Czech Republic sees 1st 3 Prague’s military hospital confirmed that Zeman was transported there Sunday. Zeman, 77, is a heavy smoker and drinker who has suffered from diabetes. He has trouble walking and has been using a wheelchair. “The reason for his hospitalization are the complications that accompany the chronic disease for which we treat him here,” said Dr. Miroslav Zavoral, the director of the clinic. He declined to elaborate. Jiri Ovcacek, the president's spokesman, later said his current stay in hospital doesn't threaten the country's post-election negotiations and his Constitutional duties. He said Zeman has asked to receive media monitoring on a daily basis. Zeman was previously admitted on Sept. 14 for what his office described later as a planned examination. The office said the president was only dehydrated and slightly exhausted. Zeman was released after eight days, his longest hospital stay. He spent four days in the same hospital in 2019 for similar reasons.

After a series of closed-door meetings with the party’s central and grassroots leaders, BNP policymakers on Thursday took the opinions of the leaders of different professional bodies to work out their next course of action ahead of the 12th parliamentary election. The BNP top leaders had around a three-and-half-hours meeting with the leaders of different professions, including lawyers, doctors, engineers, agriculturalists and teachers, at party chairperson’s Gulshan office. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Selima Rahman were present at the meeting while party acting chairman Tarique Rahman joined it virtually from London. A lawyer, who was present at the meeting, said most processional leaders urged the BNP policymakers to overhaul the party and its associate bodies as early as possible to wage an ‘effective’ movement for forcing the government to hold the next national election under a neutral government. Also read: Caretaker is a must, no more game: BNP He said they also suggested that BNP should maintain effective communication with other opposition parties to wage a simultaneous movement to ensure a credible election in the country. “We also urge the BNP leaders to prepare a roadmap for a movement and the next general election,” the lawyer said. He said they warned BNP leaders that it will be meaningless to join the national election under the current government. BNP began the series of meetings on September 14 last to know the views of party rank and file and pro-BNP professionals about the party’s next course of action ahead of the next general election. Also read: BNP won’t join election with AL in power: Abbas The party had six closed-door meetings in two phases with BNP vice-chairmen, advisory council members with joint secretaries general, organising secretaries, assistant organising secretaries, secretaries, executive committee members, leaders of the party’s different associate bodies and presidents of different district units. The party also sat with journalists and university teachers on September 29.

BNP policymakers are now planning to sit with the grassroots leaders after holding three closed-door meetings with its central leaders to work out the party’s next course of action ahead of the 12th parliamentary election. "We’ve already had three consecutive meetings. Our standing committee has a meeting next Saturday where we’ll decide whether we should hold a few more meetings,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Talking to reporters after the third consecutive meeting with party leaders, he said they still could not sit with some members of their national executive committee. “We also have a plan to hold meetings with the presidents and secretaries of our party at the district level.” The BNP leader said they have also a plan to sit with the leaders of different professional bodies. “If our standing committee takes a decision in this regard, we’ll hold these meetings.” Also read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings Mirza Fakhrul said they sat with the top leaders of different associate bodies of their party today (Thursday) as part of their planned series of meetings with BNP rank and file to know their views about the party’s next course of action. “The meeting discussed the current political situation in the country, our organisational issues and our party’s next course of action,“  he said. Asked about the outcomes of the three meetings with the party central leaders, he said they will disclose it later at the right time. Earlier, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with the standing committee members began the meeting with the leaders of different associate bodies at 4pm at the party chairperson's Gulshan office. The meeting continued for four and a half hours where BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman virtually joined from London. Also read: Now state ‘backs corruption’: BNP Party sources said 92 leaders of Jubo Dal, Sewchchasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal, Mohila Dal and other associate bodies of the party took part in the meeting. The party policymakers started the series of meetings with the party's rank and file on Tuesday. The BNP top leaders had also similar meetings with BNP vice-chairmen, advisory council members on Tuesday and with joint secretaries general, organising secretaries, assistant organising secretaries and secretaries on Wednesday. BNP formed a 502-member national executive committee through its sixth national council on March 19, 2016.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday urged the Iranians to actively participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, official IRNA news agency reported.