In a series of explosive posts on X, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a prominent Awami League figure, has alleged a massive postal ballot scam orchestrated by the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus ahead of the February 12 elections.
Joy claims the scheme involves sending hundreds of thousandsโor even millionsโof ballots to fake voters abroad to inflate vote counts and rig upcoming elections. The revelations come at a precarious time for the Yunus administration, which is already under fire for allegedly holding an illegal referendum and proceeding with elections without the participation of the Awami League, amid accusations of Jamaat-e-Islami influence over the government.
Bahrain: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1173693071637522
Joy’s accusations, posted on January 14, 2026, have reignited debates over electoral integrity in Bangladesh, where the interim governmentโformed after the August 2024 ouster of Hasina’s administrationโhas faced widespread criticism for suppressing opposition voices and aligning with Islamist elements. Critics, including Awami League supporters, label the regime as “Jamaat-controlled,” pointing to the reinstatement of Jamaat-e-Islami’s political registration and the acquittal of its leaders on war crimes charges.
Allegations of Ballot Stuffing via Postal Votes
In his first post of the day, Joy highlighted what he described as blatant evidence of fraud involving postal ballots destined for Bahrain. “Hundreds of postal ballots sent to just one address. Postal ballots are being used to rig these upcoming elections as they are impossible to verify,” he wrote. “It is likely that hundreds of thousands if not millions of postal ballots have been sent abroad to fake voters in order to inflate number of voters in upcoming elections. #Bangladesh”
Kuwait: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1383555143250796
Accompanying the post was a link to a video reel, purportedly showing stacks of ballots addressed to a single location, raising questions about the authenticity of overseas voters. Joy’s claims suggest a systematic effort to circumvent domestic scrutiny, where in-person voting could be monitored more easily.
Later that evening, Joy doubled down with another post, this time focusing on Kuwait. “Hundreds more postal ballots at one single office in Kuwait this time. This is clearly how the #Yunus regime is planning to rig the #elections in #Bangladesh,” he stated. “Ballot stuffing within the country is difficult to hide, especially with foreign observers there. Postal ballots are an easy way to bypass all observers and inflate the vote count.”
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Again, a video link was shared, allegedly exposing the concentration of ballots at a single office, which Joy argues is indicative of a broader blueprint for manipulation. These posts have garnered significant engagement, with thousands of views, likes, and reposts, amplifying calls for international intervention in Bangladesh’s electoral process.
Timing Amid Mounting Criticism of Interim Government
The exposure of this alleged scam coincides with escalating backlash against the Yunus-led interim government for its handling of democratic processes. The administration has been accused of conducting an illegal referendum in late 2025, which critics say was rigged to legitimize extended rule without a mandate. Furthermore, the decision to hold national electionsโslated for early 2026โwithout allowing the Awami League to participate has drawn condemnation from human rights groups, opposition figures, and international observers.
The Awami League, Bangladesh’s oldest political party, had its registration suspended and political activities banned shortly after the 2024 upheaval, which many describe as a “student-led revolution” but which Hasina supporters claim was orchestrated by Islamist militants with foreign backing. Yunus, a Nobel laureate, has defended the moves as necessary for “reforms,” but detractors argue they pave the way for Jamaat-e-Islamiโa party historically opposed to Bangladesh’s independence in 1971โto consolidate power.
“Blunder exposed,” Joy’s posts implicitly declare, aligning with broader narratives from Awami League exiles that the interim government’s actions are undemocratic and aimed at perpetuating control. International watchdogs, including the United Nations and the European Union, have expressed concerns over the lack of inclusivity in the electoral process, warning that excluding major parties like the Awami League could undermine the credibility of the polls.
Government Response and Broader Implications
As of January 15, 2026, the interim government has not issued an official response to Joy’s allegations. The Election Commission, under the interim regime, has maintained that postal ballots for expatriates are a standard practice to ensure diaspora participation, but has not addressed the specific concerns about concentrated addresses.
Analysts suggest that if proven, the postal ballot irregularities could trigger further unrest, especially given the government’s history of cracking down on dissent. Since August 2024, thousands of Awami League members have been arrested, and media outlets perceived as pro-Hasina have faced restrictions.
Joy, who resides abroad and serves as an IT adviser to his mother, has used social media platforms like X to keep the spotlight on alleged injustices in Bangladesh. His posts not only challenge the electoral framework but also call into question the interim government’s legitimacy, urging foreign observers to scrutinize overseas voting mechanisms.
As elections approach, the postal ballot controversy adds fuel to an already volatile political landscape, where accusations of rigging could erode public trust and invite international sanctions. For now, Joy’s revelations have thrust the issue into the global arena, prompting calls for transparency and fairness in Bangladesh’s democratic transition.
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