PR System: A Problem or a Possibility for Electoral Reform in Bangladesh?

Elections are the lifeblood of democracy in any country. They reflect the will of the people and help form an effective government. However, Bangladesh’s current electoral system has faced debates and questions for many years. In this context, the discussion on the Proportional Representation (PR) system has become increasingly important. This is a system in which political parties receive seats in parliament based on the percentage of votes they win.

What is the PR system?

The PR system is an electoral method where a political party is allocated parliamentary seats according to the percentage of votes it receives in an election. This is different from the traditional First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system. Under FPTP, the candidate who secures the most votes in a constituency wins, even if that candidate receives less than 50% of the total votes. As a result, it is often seen that one party, despite getting fewer votes overall, wins a majority of seats, while another party with more votes secures fewer seats.

The PR system eliminates such disparities. Generally, two forms of PR are practiced:

1. Party-list PR: Voters cast their votes for a political party rather than an individual candidate. Each party publishes a list of candidates, and depending on the percentage of votes received, a specific number of candidates from that list are elected.

2. Single Transferable Vote (STV): This is a comparatively complex method. Voters rank candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.). When a candidate secures the required number of votes to win, their surplus votes are transferred to other candidates based on voter preferences.

Advantages of the PR system

• Fair representation: The biggest advantage. Every party gets seats proportional to its vote share, ensuring a true reflection of public opinion. Smaller parties also gain representation.

• Less vote wastage: Unlike FPTP, the votes of losing candidates are not completely wasted, as each vote contributes to the party’s total.

• Fewer contests in constituencies: Since in party-list systems, the country is treated as one or a few large constituencies, there are fewer direct candidate rivalries.

• Increased minority and marginalized group representation: Smaller parties and minorities gain a voice, promoting inclusivity.

• Ideology-based politics: Party platforms and policies matter more than individual candidate popularity.

Disadvantages of the PR system

• Lack of stability: Often no party wins an outright majority. Coalition governments become necessary, which can lead to instability and government collapses.

• Weaker voter–candidate link: Since votes are cast for parties rather than individuals, the direct accountability of candidates to their voters is somewhat reduced.

• Complexity: Certain forms, like STV, may be difficult for ordinary voters to understand.

Countries using the PR system

The PR system is practiced widely across the world. Some notable examples are:

• Europe: Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Austria, Greece.

• Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.

• Africa: South Africa, Angola.

• Asia & Oceania: Israel, New Zealand, Indonesia.

Possible impact of the PR system in Bangladesh

Advantages:

• Reduction in electoral violence: Current constituency-based elections often result in violence. PR could reduce such conflicts as candidate rivalries decrease.

• Participation of smaller parties: Parties like Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khilafat Majlis, Hefazat-e-Islam, CPB, BASAD, which receive significant votes nationally but fail to win seats, could enter parliament.

• Fairer representation: Currently, a party may win nearly 90% of seats without securing 50% of the vote. PR would ensure more accurate reflection of voter choice.

• End to political polarization: With focus shifting to party votes, local divisions would lessen.

• Potential political stability: Although coalition governments may be unstable, they encourage consensus-building, which could also promote stability.

Disadvantages:

• Coalition politics: Frequent coalition governments may emerge, increasing the risks of bargaining and instability.

• Decline of independent candidates: PR limits opportunities for independent candidates, reducing direct voter choice.

• Distance from voters: As parties rather than candidates are elected, accountability and direct voter–representative relationships weaken.

• Sudden government changes: Coalition disagreements may lead to premature elections or government collapse, obstructing development.

The PR system is not perfect, but it can address some of the major flaws of the current FPTP model. If implemented in Bangladesh, it would transform the political landscape. On the one hand, it would ensure a truer reflection of public opinion and give smaller parties a role in governance. On the other hand, it could bring challenges such as coalition instability, weakened voter–representative ties, and potential political uncertainty.