BNP leader SM Jahangir Hossain dismissed calls for proportional representation (PR) in Bangladesh’s electoral system, saying those who push for it “have no popular mandate.” During a leaflet campaign promoting BNP’s 31-point program, he argued that PR voting undermines direct accountability by allowing weak candidates to enter parliament without majority support. “Under PR, bad candidates cannot be boycotted by voters. Ultimately, Awami League would benefit most,” he said. Hossain urged voters to back BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, to bring Tarique Rahman to power on the basis of BNP’s reform agenda. He emphasized the need for unity to resist conspiracies and ensure a fair election in February.