Islamic Unity Alliance Warns PR-Based Elections Will Betray the People

The chairman of the Islamic Unity Alliance (IUA), Advocate Maulana Abdur Rokib, has criticised the proportional representation (PR) electoral system, stating that any election held under such a framework would constitute a betrayal of the people. His remarks were made during a meeting of the IUA’s Executive Committee on Thursday, 21 August, at the party’s headquarters, which was presided over by Secretary-General Professor Maulana Abdul Karim.

Maulana Rokib emphasised the urgent need to hand over authority to a democratically elected government to address the country’s current political, economic, and social crises.

“The administrative machinery of the nation has become ineffective. The interim government must accelerate public welfare programmes in a comprehensive manner,” he stated.

He warned that unless the government swiftly restored administrative efficiency, the country’s growing instability would continue.

Highlighting the sudden and alarming rise in commodity prices, Maulana Rokib called for strengthened government monitoring of the market. He urged all anti-Hassina movement factions to maintain unity and to take effective action from their respective positions to prevent the government from exploiting any opportunity to strengthen its hold.

Rokib also criticised political actors who had benefited from the previous regime’s oppressive measures and were now seeking alliances to participate in forthcoming elections.

“Those who colluded with the previous fascist government, encouraged repression, and benefited from corruption are now attempting to secure positions through alliances. This is a dire warning for us,” he said.

He demanded expedited justice for individuals involved in corruption, killings, extortion, and crossfire-related crimes during the previous government’s tenure, and called for the immediate confiscation of all assets obtained through corrupt practices.

The meeting concluded with prayers for the health and wellbeing of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and the ailing Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

The IUA reiterated its call for political reform, economic accountability, and unity among opposition forces to ensure a transparent and fair governance framework.