"People Don't Understand EVMs, How Will They Understand PR?": Mirza Fakhrul

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NEWS DESK: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the people of the country still don't properly understand Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), so how will they comprehend Proportional Representation (PR)?

He made this remark on Tuesday afternoon (July 29, 2025) at a discussion meeting held at the National Press Club auditorium, organized to mark the fifth death anniversary of Shafiul Bari Babu, former president of Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal.

The BNP Secretary General said, "New ideas are emerging. Our country and nation are not exactly familiar with these ideas. I will not comment on this matter. However, I want to make one comment: the people of our country do not understand this PR, or proportional representation. They ask, 'Brother, what is PR?'"

"Those who still cannot vote using EVMs, who don't properly understand them, and as a result, do not vote with EVMs—how will they understand PR? We must move away from this line of thinking."

Referring to the over-enthusiasm of some political parties regarding the PR system, Mirza Fakhrul said, "Implement the voting system that the people of this country are accustomed to. Arrange a parliamentary election where they truly have representation. Only then will these problems be solved. Otherwise, they won't. Sitting from outside or imposing new ideas on someone will not solve the country's problems."

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir emphasized that BNP is not afraid of reform, stating, "Many people taunt us, saying we don't want reform. But the idea of reform is ours. Reform started with us."

The event, presided over by BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and moderated by former Swechchasebak Dal Vice-Presidents Azharul Haque and Farid Uddin Ahmed, was also addressed by BNP National Executive Committee Vice Chairman Asaduzzaman Ripon, party Chairperson's Adviser Amanullah Aman, and Chairperson's Advisory Council member Abul Khayer Bhuiyan, among others. The late Shafiul Bari Babu's wife, Bithika Binte Hossain, was present at the event but did not speak.