“The results will always be questionable”: Sajeeb Wazed to Bloomberg

Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections will not resolve the country’s political instability, said Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a top Awami League leader. In a phone interview with Bloomberg from the United States, he said Thursday’s election “will never be credible” and its results “will always remain questionable.”

Sajeeb Wazed said that the Awami League, the oldest political party in Bangladesh, has been banned from the elections and the party has called on its supporters to boycott the elections because they are unacceptable. In his words, “Awami League has won at least 30 percent of the popular vote in the past. The results of the elections being held this week without giving our supporters the opportunity to vote cannot be acceptable.”

He also said that the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made some mistakes in dealing with the 2024 student movement. He acknowledged the demands of the protesting students as “legitimate”—a rare admission from a top Awami League leader. He also said, “We really, really failed to communicate with the people.” He commented that some opposition forces used this opportunity to overthrow the government.

“People are already missing stability and economic growth,” said Sajeeb Wazed. He said economic and political pressures would continue even with a BNP-led government. He warned that parties like Jamaat-e-Islami were pushing an Islamist agenda that would limit women’s rights and increase the risk of attacks on minority communities.

“The economy will not improve, the law and order situation will not improve. People will get bored very quickly, especially after a questionable election,” he said.

Sajeeb Wazed also said that he himself does not plan to enter active politics in the near future. However, the Awami League is in contact with various governments in Europe and lawmakers in the United States to make them aware of the threat of Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh.

Regarding Sheikh Hasina’s current status, he said the former prime minister is in self-imposed exile in India and is in “very good health.” The Indian government is providing her security and allowing her to stay there as long as she wants. In the words of Sajeeb Wazed, “From this perspective, there can be no better place for her than India.”

He added that Sheikh Hasina is still in touch with party workers in Bangladesh—some of whom are in hiding or in prison. “She is busy on the phone all the time,” said Sajeeb Wazed.