Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, has slammed recent statements suggesting that elections would not be allowed unless proportional representation (PR) is implemented, calling them “echoes of Sheikh Hasina-style authoritarian rhetoric.”

He argued that before the next election, people expect to see visible reforms in the justice system, yet the interim government has shown little progress beyond lofty promises. “The July Charter remains trapped in table discussions,” he said.

Terming the February national election a crucial milestone for Bangladesh’s democratic transition, Saiful warned that pushing narrow party agendas could derail necessary reforms. If the election is obstructed, he cautioned, the country’s fragile state could deteriorate further, with social unrest spiraling into political chaos.

“Political competition must not be dragged onto the streets,” he added.