The concept of Proportional Representation (PR) in electoral politics is a system that seeks to address the limitations of majoritarian systems, which can lead to results where the winning party takes all the seats, often not reflecting the full spectrum of a country’s political views. The idea originated in the 19th century with thinkers like Victor D’Hondt and Thomas Hare, who devised mathematical formulas and voting methods to ensure that parties get seats in parliament based on the proportion of votes they receive. This approach was introduced to provide a fairer representation of all political opinions within a society. John Stuart Mill, a well-known classical liberal philosopher, was one of the early advocates for PR. He argued that it would prevent the dominance of a single majority, ensuring that minority voices are also heard in legislative assemblies. This electoral system has been used in various forms worldwide, with countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Sweden embracing it for its ability to reflect diverse political views. However, some nations, like Italy, have moved away from PR due to concerns about its efficiency or causing political instability.
While PR has its merits, such as inclusivity and fairness, as seen in countries like Germany and New Zealand, it also comes with challenges. One concern is its effect on independent candidates, who may find it difficult to get elected as voters tend to focus on party lists. Additionally, PR can potentially lead to tokenism if reserved seats for marginalized groups are not managed correctly. Another issue is the misuse of black money in the political process, with parties possibly exploiting financial loopholes to influence party lists or campaign funding. The system can also limit voter choice by focusing more on party symbols than individual candidates. Voters may feel compelled to vote for a party rather than a specific person, leading to dissatisfaction if elected officials do not reflect their preferred policies. This can be particularly problematic in countries with weak intra-party democracy, where party leaders have substantial sway over candidate selection and policy direction.
For Bangladesh, the introduction of PR could offer a chance to improve political inclusivity. It would likely allow smaller parties and minority groups to gain more seats in parliament. However, given the current political climate of strong party loyalty and limited internal party democracy, there is a risk that PR could exacerbate issues of centralization and corruption. A possible solution for Bangladesh could be adopting a mixed electoral system, combining elements of both majoritarian and proportional representation. This hybrid approach could help balance the need for fair representation with effective governance and encourage greater accountability among elected officials. By doing so, the country could aim to mitigate the potential downsides of PR while still providing a more representative democracy.
Writer: Graduate Research Student at an Australian Public University. He is a member of Amnesty International, Australia and can be reached at smfhr@utas.edu.au