IAB pledges 'proportional representation' for fair polls
Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) yesterday pledged to introduce "proportional representation" (PR) as electoral system to ensure a free and fair election if voted to power.
“The Election commission (EC) has failed to ensure a level playing field due to the ruling party's influence, and all the parties that came to power earlier have turned the election into a farce,” Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, chief of AIB, claimed as he unveiled the party's 33-point manifesto for the 11th national election from a press conference in the capital's Jatiya Press Club.
He said that a constitutional amendment will be made to introduce PR through which people from different constituencies will only cast votes for party symbols and parties will then nominate parliament members as per voting percentage.
“Spreading of black money and use of muscle power by the candidates will be stopped if PR can be implemented by an independent EC,” he said.
Rezaul, widely known as “Pir Saheb of Chormonai”, promised a fine balance between religion and politics for people's welfare.
“An MP without fear of Allah can never ensure good governance,” he said.
Rezaul said that his party will put a stop to corruption, abduction, murder, false cases and torture.
He also promised to eliminate poverty and unemployment through agricultural and industrial development.
He said that priorities will be given to the children of freedom fighters in employment and the spirit of the Liberation War will be upheld by elimination of class disparities.
The manifesto highlighted reforming the existing political culture, ensuring road safety, nationalisation of all institutions, taking import substitution policies, establishing rule of law, ensuring freedom of speech and freedom of media, establishing communal harmony and rights of minority communities, and providing more loans to farmers and entrepreneurs.
Mufti Rezaul sought votes for their symbol “hand fan” at 299 constituencies.
Among others, IAB Secretary General Yunus Ahmed, Political Adviser Professor Ashraf Ali Akond, Joint-Secretary General Mahbubur Rahman and Organising Secretary Fazlul Haque Mirdha were present.
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