Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of five-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a prominent figure in the Bangladesh Awami League, has urged citizens to boycott the country’s upcoming general election and referendum scheduled for February 12.
Describing the vote as a “staged drama” orchestrated by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, Joy accused the administration of rigging the process to entrench fundamentalist forces.
The election comes amid ongoing political turmoil. The Awami League, the political activities of which were banned by the interim authorities on May 12, 2025, is excluded from participating, a move that critics like Joy argue undermines the democratic legitimacy of the polls. The interim government, backed by figures including the Jamaat-e-Islami party, according to Joy’s claims, has faced accusations of suppressing opposition and failing to restore stability.
In his post on X on January 18, Joy wrote: “This is not a vote, itโs a trapโto save Bangladesh, Bangladesh will not take part in this rigged election.” He elaborated that the election is “not a transparent democratic process” but rather a “prewritten script” designed to legitimise the Yunus government’s agenda. Drawing parallels to the events of July-August 2024, when he alleges extremists used students as a front to seize power, Joy warned that participating would only “legitimise fundamentalism.”
Joy emphasised that the exclusion of the Awami League, the party that spearheaded Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, renders the election a mere “tactic to seize power” and a “conspiracy to capture the state.” He painted a grim picture of the country’s trajectory under the interim regime, claiming it has pushed Bangladesh toward economic ruin, insecurity, and eroded social harmony. “Creating space for fundamentalism and militancy has become their core objective,” he stated.
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Appealing directly to the conscience of Bangladeshis, particularly parents concerned for their children’s future, Joy framed the boycott not as partisan politics but as a patriotic duty. “It is the responsibility of every parent in this country to ensure a safe and progressive Bangladesh for their children. To fulfil that responsibility, one must say no to fundamentalism, no to militancy, and no to this rigged election,” he urged. Ending with a rallying cry, Joy declared: “This is not a call for a vote boycott; it is a call to save the state. This is not about the interest of any party; it is about the future of Bangladesh. Boycott this illegal, rigged election. NO BOAT, NO VOTE.” The “boat” symbol refers to the Awami League’s traditional electoral emblem.
The post has sparked intense debate online and in political circles, with supporters of the Awami League echoing Joy’s sentiments while backers of the interim government dismiss the claims as sour grapes from an ousted regime. The Yunus administration has defended the election timeline, announced in December 2025, as a step toward restoring democracy after years of alleged authoritarian rule under Hasina. However, international observers have raised concerns about the ban on the Awami League and the potential for unrest if major parties are sidelined.
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As the campaign period ramps up, with symbol allocation set for January 21 and voting on February 12, the boycott call adds another layer of uncertainty to Bangladesh’s fragile political landscape. Analysts suggest that widespread abstention could delegitimise the results, potentially leading to further protests or demands for fresh polls. The interim government has yet to respond directly to Joy’s statement, but officials have previously assured that the election will be free, fair, and inclusive within the current framework.
Joy, who is a US citizen, has been vocal on social media about what he perceives as the interim government’s failures. His latest missive aligns with broader criticisms from Awami League sympathisers, who argue that the ban on their partyโimposed amid investigations into alleged corruption and human rights abusesโamounts to political persecution.
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