Sajeeb Wazed reiterates election boycott, says forced reforms never last

Awami League leader Sajeeb Wazed Joy, grandson of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and son of five-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has called for a complete boycott of the February 12 national election and referendum, describing them as a “completely staged” and “pre-scripted drama” engineered to install a BNP-Jamaat government.

In a concise five-minute video message on Saturday, Joy reiterated his February 2 warnings from a virtual address in Kolkata, where he had branded the polls a “sham” run by the unelected Yunus interim regime with Islamist backing, warned of a potential puppet administration under foreign sway or a rise in radical Islamism, and urged the international community to denounce and stop the process.

Addressing supporters and the public, he said the current administration would collapse post-election regardless of turnout. “Whether you vote or not, this government is going anyway,” he stated.

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“But this election is entirely rigged. Half the country’s political parties have been excluded—not just the Awami League, but every force aligned with independence and progressivism. The sole aim is to place BNP and Jamaat in power. The same Jamaat that opposed our Liberation War and was complicit in the killing of 30 lakh Bengalis is being manoeuvred into control through this conspiracy.”

Joy acknowledged widespread public frustration after 18 months of disorder: “I know all of you are extremely frustrated. There has been no law and order, the economy has collapsed, democracy has vanished, and you have lived in constant fear. You are so fed up that you want this government gone by any means.”

He cautioned against unilateral, force-backed reforms. “Reforms imposed by brute force never last,” he said, pointing to post-1975 military regimes that used referendums and only weakened democracy further. “After this referendum too, our democracy will become even weaker. Political clashes and crises will return—today or tomorrow, movements will rise again, and chaos will come back.”

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Emphasising patience, he noted: “The development of democracy takes time. Our country is still young, only 50 years old. True reforms require the votes and opinions of all people and all parties. Unilateral action will bring no progress to our democracy or politics.”

Joy’s core appeal remained unchanged: “Whether you support the Awami League or not, if you want what is good for Bangladesh and a secure future, do not vote in this election. The results are already decided; even the voter turnout percentage has been pre-announced by the election commission. This is completely drama. There is no benefit in participating.”

He closed with a call for unity: “Let us stand together. We will not accept this rigged election. We will not accept forced, one-sided reforms. We want a better Bangladesh and a safeguarded future. My request is clear—do not vote; do not go to the polling centres. There will be no gain from it.”