DHAKA: Hundreds of thousands ofsupporters of Bangladesh`s main religious party rallied on Saturday, demanding an overhaul of the electoral system as the country gears up for polls next year.

The Jamaat-e-Islami party has gained significant momentum since the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a popular uprising last year. During her tenure, Hasina took a hardline stance against Jamaat, even cancelling its registration as a political party.

For decades, Jamaat was barred from holding public rallies. Last month, the Supreme Court restored the party`s registration, paving the way for its participation in elections slated for next April.

`We have suffered a lot in the last 15 years. We went to jail, we were robbed of our political rights,` Mohammad AbdulMannan, a 29-year-old party activist, said.

Demonstrators braving the sweltering heat in the capital demanded changes to the distribution of seats, calling for proportional representation. `We`ve gathered here in masses to press our seven-point demand, which includes participatory representation in parliament, Mannan said.

`Elections shouldn`t be held unless our demands are fulfilled.` After independence, Jamaat was banned. It later reemerged and registered its best electoral performance in 1991 when it secured 18 seats.

The party joined a coalition government in 2001, but failed to build lasting popular support. `We want a proportional representation system so that winners can`t take all we too deserve a voice,` Mannan said.-AFP