Sajeeb Wazed Joy Calls Election a “Staged Drama,” Urges Voters to Boycott Polls

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former ICT adviser to ex–prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has labelled the upcoming national election a “staged” and “theatrical” exercise, calling on citizens to boycott the polls.
In a video message circulated on social media, Joy sharply criticised the country’s current political and economic situation and questioned the credibility of the election process. He alleged that Bangladesh has been experiencing severe disorder over the past year and a half, marked by a breakdown in law and order, economic decline, and the absence of democratic governance.
“There is no law and order, the economy has collapsed, and there is no democracy. People have been forced to live in fear,” Joy said in the video.
He accused the authorities of orchestrating an election designed to exclude major political forces, claiming that not only the Awami League but also other pro-liberation and progressive parties have been barred from participation. According to Joy, the election is being held with the sole objective of bringing the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami to power.
Joy further alleged that the Election Commission has predetermined both the outcome of the vote and the voter turnout, arguing that participation in such a process would be meaningless for the public.
Addressing the issue of political reforms, Joy referred to the post-1975 period in Bangladesh’s history, warning that reforms imposed unilaterally and through force do not endure. He said that past military regimes had attempted reforms through referendums, but those efforts ultimately weakened democracy rather than strengthening it.
Describing Bangladesh as a relatively young nation, Joy stressed that democratic development requires time and inclusive participation. He argued that any genuine reform process must involve the votes of the people and the opinions of all political parties, cautioning that one-sided decisions would only further damage the political system.
In his concluding remarks, Joy called on citizens of all political affiliations, including supporters of the Awami League, to reject the election. “If you truly want what is best for Bangladesh and want to secure its future, do not vote in this election,” he said, urging unity against what he described as a “staged election” and “one-sided reforms.”
He ended his address with the slogan “Joy Bangla.”