Jatiya Party (JP) chairman HM Ershad on Wednesday proposed a new electoral system, on the basis of proportionate ratio of votes obtained by different political parties, for electing public representatives. “Voters will not cast their votes for any candidate or any specific constituency. They will cast votes only on the symbol of political parties. The political parties would elect their members of Parliament (MP) on the basis of votes. The party which will obtain majority of votes will form the government by electing its Parliament members. Local government representatives will look after the local development works,” he told reporters at a news conference at a city hotel.
Senior JP leaders, including Kazi Zafar Ahmed, Anisul Huq Mahmud, Ruhul Amin Hawladar and Jatiya Nirbachan Parjabekkhan Parishad chairman Prof. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah attended the press conference.
“Money and muscle power are needed to win a poll nowadays. Development of the country is not possible unless the electoral system is changed. If my proposal gets accepted, it would bring an end to booth-capturing by musclemen,” the former president said, adding that his proposed system would prevent the entry of elements of terror, and enable intelligent and honest people to become MPs.
There will be no violence, shutdown or use of arms, he said. “Voters will vote for a party and a symbol, not for a candidate. There are differences in the ratio of votes for political parties. An all-party government will be formed on the basis of the proportion of votes,” he added.
Ershad, a major ally of the Awami League-led Grand Alliance government, proposed that the number of constituencies in the Jatiya Parishad should be 300 and each party should submit a list of candidates to the Election Commission as per their ability.
Each party will select their candidates as per the quota (general 50 per cent, women 30 per cent, minority 10 per cent and professionals 10 per cent), while local government elections would not be held under the banner of political parties, Ershad proposed in his new formula.
-With The Independent input
