BNP Standing Committee member Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed stated that people sacrificed their lives during the July-August mass uprising to establish democracy in the country, not for deciding whether elections would be held under a proportional representation (PR) or constituency-based system.
Speaking at an event titled “Discussion on the Anniversary of July Mass Uprising and Honoring Martyrs’ Families” organised by the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at its Ramma auditorium on Saturday, Hafiz asserted, “People did not die to debate whether elections should follow PR or constituency methods. They died for democracy – and the only way to achieve democracy is through fair elections.”
The PR system allocates parliamentary seats based on the proportion of votes each party receives. For instance, if a party secures 10% of votes, it gets 10% of seats – even without winning any specific constituency.
Hafiz criticised those clinging to power, stating, “Those who’ve tasted power refuse to leave, resorting to tricks instead. What we need is reform – elections under a neutral caretaker government.”
He condemned unelected attempts to amend the constitution: “No history shows unelected individuals amending constitutions. Our constitution was born from blood in 1972 – now they want to discard it without public or parliamentary consent.”
The freedom fighter lamented that the martyrs’ dreams remain unrealised because “the current regime doesn’t uphold their spirit.” He singled out interim government figures: “Except for Dr Asif Nazrul, none – not even respected figures like Dr Yunus – dared speak against Hasina’s 17-year oppression.”
Hafiz decried how post-revolution, “the brave are forgotten while cunning politicians reap benefits.” He accused such leaders of “repeatedly misleading the nation” despite BNP laying the groundwork for the mass movement, while “those who never opposed Hasina now bask in limelight, preaching to the nation.”