Proportional Representation (PR) is an electoral system that allocates seats based on the votes of political parties. In this system, parties' parliamentary seats are determined by voter turnout, thereby increasing the actual representation of the electorate. For example, if a party gets 10 percent of the total votes cast, they will get 10 percent of the 30 seats in Parliament, or 3 seats. There are different types of electoral systems in global PR systems, including open, secret and mixed systems. These methods help to reflect voter opinion more effectively.

A recent survey showed that out of 170 countries in the world, 91 countries have this type of election system. Proportional voting is held in many countries of the developed world, including two countries in South Asia, Europe.

Election and political analysts of Bangladesh have been recommending the introduction of proportional electoral system at various times during the last decade.

According to them, as there are many controversies about the electoral system of Bangladesh, the present system cannot be stopped even if any political party becomes dictatorial in voting.

According to election analyst Prof. Tofail Ahmed, voting can be introduced in this system if changes are to be made in the electoral system of Bangladesh. In that case, it is possible to introduce a proportional representation election system by analyzing what has been gained in this system in different countries of the world.

He also said, 'We have seen the difficulties of the conventional election system of Bangladesh. We have not seen the disadvantages of proportional electoral system. To introduce it, the constitution needs to be changed. But it is not very difficult.

Election and political analysts are analyzing this crisis differently by highlighting some of the flawed aspects of this method.

Professor Ahmed was saying that the government formed by voting in this PR system is not stable. Because no political party in Bangladesh will be able to achieve a single majority if voting is done in this manner.

That is why analysts are emphasizing on the consensus of the political parties of Bangladesh to hold proportional elections.

Objection and consent of political parties

Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy recently organized a seminar on reforming the country's election system.

Many political parties and election analysts of the country including BNP, Jamaat, Jatiya Party, Communist Party were present in that seminar.

Participating in this seminar, a large part of the political parties gave their opinion in favor of holding the national elections on the proportional representation system instead of the existing system.

Many of those parties had also been demanding the introduction of PR system in the recent dialogue with the Chief Advisor.

Although there is a consensus of the middle and small political parties in this method, one of the largest political parties, BNP, has objections. The party has been supporting the current electoral system in the national elections since its inception.

Another major political party, Awami League, however, was not invited to these dialogues.

Election analyst Mohiuddin Ahmad said, BNP thinks that they will get the majority of seats if the voting is done in the conventional way. They don't want to give anything to anyone else. That is why they are against proportional voting.

Analysts say, not only BNP, but this proposal was made in the past but this method was not started because two big parties like Awami League and BNP in Bangladesh did not want it.

According to Professor Tofail Ahmed on this question, if most of the political parties have public opinion pressure to introduce such an election system, then it is possible to vote in this system even if two political parties do not want to.

He said that many of the small political parties are showing great interest in this system for quick voting. Again, the big political parties do not want it for their own interests. Now both sides have to think from a logical place.

Analysts say that the proportional representation election system can be a solution to prevent long-term autocracy or dictatorship, citing the example of this system introduced in Nepal after the fall of the monarchy for a long time.c