Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Mia Golam Parwar has called for the inclusion of the Proportional Representation (PR) voting system in a nationwide referendum to legitimise the July Charter 2025.
He emphasised that the people’s voice must be heard through this process.
Speaking as the chief guest at a rally in front of the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Friday afternoon, Parwar said, “The July Charter must include all issues on which political party leaders have reached a consensus. A referendum should then be held based on that charter, which would provide it with legitimacy.”
Citing various national surveys, he added that a majority of the Bangladeshis supports the adoption of a PR voting system
He proposed that a public referendum be held specifically on the PR issue, stating, “Let the people decide. If the majority votes in favour of PR, all political parties must accept it. If not, we will respect that outcome. But the will of the people must not be ignored.”
Addressing broader political concerns, Parwar warned that if alleged killers and criminals are allowed to go unpunished, free and fair elections will be impossible, and Bangladesh may end up under the shadow of foreign influence.
“We do not want to see Bangladesh become a puppet under Delhi’s dominance,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of a level playing field, accountability, and the need for justice ahead of the upcoming national election.
In a message directed at the chief adviser, Golam Parwar said, “You hold two crucial responsibilities, as the head of the government and the National Consensus Commission. You must remain firm in both roles.”
He said, “Some of your advisers may be trying to divert you to serve the agenda of a particular political party. But we do not want to witness such scenes again.”
He stated that in order to save the country, eliminate corruption and poverty, and establish a humane and just state, all points of consensus reached in the National Consensus Commission must be included in the July Charter.
He emphasised that a referendum must be held based on those principles, and the proposal for PR must be included as a key component in that referendum.
The July Charter 2025 will be signed on 15 October at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. According to the National Consensus Commission (NCC), the signing ceremony will be led by the Chief Adviser of the interim government and Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Muhammad Yunus.
Representatives from various political parties and alliances across the country are set to attend the event.
