Charmonai Pir Mufti Rezaul Karim has warned that holding elections without a proportional representation (PR) system would turn the country into a den of extortionists, tender manipulators, and corrupt individuals.

He made the remarks while addressing a public rallyorganized by the Sunamganj district unit of Islami Andolan Bangladesh heldat the old bus stand in the district townon Monday afternoon.

He claimed that only a PR-based electoral system can prevent the return of authoritarianism and safeguard the rights of the people.

“If elections are held without proportional representation, we cannot free this country from extortion, corruption, and tender manipulation,” said the Pir. “Such an election will pave the way for a new era of tyranny and the erosion of public rights.”

During his speech, he also labeled the Jatiya Party and the ruling 14-party alliance as accomplices of autocratic governance and demanded legal action and bans on their political activities during and before the election period.

The rally was chaired by Mufti Shahidul Islam Palashi, President of Islami Andolan Bangladesh`s Sunamganj district unit and a potential candidate for the Sunamganj-4 (Sadar-Bishwambharpur) constituency.

Prominent speakers at the event included Maulana Imtiaz Alam, Joint Secretary General, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Maulana Mahmudul Hasan, Sylhet Divisional Organizing Secretary and Muhammad Abdul Mushabbir Runu, Sylhet Divisional Organizing Secretary, Islami Sramik Andolan.

Representatives from various Islamic and political organizations also spoke, calling for electoral reforms and denouncing the dominance of major political parties in a first-past-the-post system.

Leaders of Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s affiliated organizations were also present, expressing unified support for a proportional representation electoral system and demanding fair and inclusive elections.