Dhaka: BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today issued a warning that the country’s ongoing political and economic crises are poised to worsen if the forthcoming national election is not conducted in a timely manner or faces any delays. Rizvi emphasized the critical nature of holding the election promptly to ensure the smooth transition of power to an elected government, thereby addressing the escalating issues.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizvi made these remarks while addressing various media queries at the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan of the city. He highlighted the importance of an elected government in fostering a conducive environment for both domestic and foreign investments, which are crucial for employment generation and economic revitalization. Rizvi cautioned that failure to transfer power to elected representatives would further exacerbate the crisis.
In his comments on the Proportional Representation (PR) system, Rizvi expressed concerns about the sudden introduction of such discussions in the context of the national parliamentary election, warning it could generate confusion. He noted that while the PR system is implemented in countries with advanced democratic evolution, it is still subject to debate even in those regions, citing Japan as an example where only 37% of the PR system is adopted.
Rizvi further addressed the issue of a referendum in relation to the national election, pointing out that a few parties are advocating for its precedence. He argued that if the national election is scheduled for the first or second week of February, due to the commencement of Ramadan in the third week, then both the election and referendum should ideally coincide to avoid logistical challenges.
He stressed the impracticality of conducting a referendum first, given the limited time frame and the need for significant public engagement and preparation. Rizvi concluded that holding both the referendum and the national election on the same day is the most feasible and widely accepted solution.