[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

[Saif]

Nearly 900,000 law enforcers to be deployed ahead of national election: Home adviser

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said the government will deploy nearly 900,000 members of law enforcement agencies and support services across the country to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and impartial 13th national parliament election and...

en.prothomalo.com

Nearly 900,000 law enforcers to be deployed ahead of national election: Home adviser

BSS Dhaka
Published: 19 Jan 2026, 17: 40

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday speaks at a press briefing after the 20th meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Council Committee at the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat. BSS

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said the government will deploy nearly 900,000 members of law enforcement agencies and support services across the country to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and impartial 13th national parliament election and referendum-2026 slated for 12 February next.

“The deployment will be carried out in two phases, with all security operations coordinated under the authority of the returning officers,” he said.

He made the disclosure at a press briefing after the 20th meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Council Committee at the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat.


The deployment includes 100,000 members of Bangladesh Army, 5,000 from Bangladesh Navy, 3,730 (including 1,250 in land-based roles) from Bangladesh Air Force, 149,443 from Bangladesh Police, 576,314 from Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, 37,453 from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), 3,585 from Bangladesh Coast Guard, 7,700 from Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and 13,390 from Fire Service and Civil Defence (support services), according to the Home Adviser.

The second phase of deployment will be vote-centric, with law enforcement personnel remaining on duty for seven days from 8 to 14 February, he also said.

A Law and Order Coordination Cell will be formed involving the police, armed forces, BGB, Coast Guard and RAB to ensure seamless coordination.

A special team linked to the 999 emergency services will operate round-the-clock to receive election-related complaints and relay them instantly to the Home Ministry and local coordination cells.

To enhance security, 25,000 body-worn cameras will be used at important polling stations, while CCTV cameras will be installed in all 42,761 polling stations nationwide.

The government has also categorised polling centres into 8,780 most important, 16,548 important, and 17,433 general stations based on security sensitivity.

For the first time in a national election, 418 drones from various law enforcement agencies will be deployed for surveillance, alongside dog squads and area-based operations to recover illegal weapons and arrest suspected miscreants.

The Home Advisor said the newly introduced “Election Security App–2026”, developed by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC), will play a crucial role in real-time monitoring and rapid response to law and order issues.

He reiterated that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to take immediate legal action against any attempt to disrupt or influence the election, ensuring a festive and peaceful voting environment across the country.​

 

[Saif]

‘We’ve taken risk of hybrid postal balloting with courage’, says CEC Nasir

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the Election Commission has courageously taken the risk of introducing an IT-supported hybrid postal balloting system despite being fully aware that many problems and challenges may arise with the process. “When our Chief Advi

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

‘We’ve taken risk of hybrid postal balloting with courage’, says CEC Nasir

UNB
Published :
Jan 20, 2026 21:20
Updated :
Jan 20, 2026 21:20

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the Election Commission has courageously taken the risk of introducing an IT-supported hybrid postal balloting system despite being fully aware that many problems and challenges may arise with the process.

“When our Chief Adviser made the announcement (to ensure arrangement so that expatriates can vote in this next general election), we took this risk with courage (by initiating the IT-supported postal ballot system), knowing fully well that many problems and challenges would emerge,” he said, while briefing representatives of political parties on the postal voting system.

The briefing about the technicalities of the hybrid postal balloting system – combined with the digital registration and manual ballot papers—was held at the auditorium of the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon area.

The CEC said his Commission has undertaken an initiative that had never been tried in Bangladesh before. “We have entered an unknown area. But we took an oath and made a commitment that we must implement it,” he said.

Pointing to journalists present at the programme, Nasir Uddin said they have got cooperation from the media in the process. “From the beginning of the implementation to this stage, we have received your cooperation. Without your support, we could not have come this far. Otherwise, negative writings on social media could have seriously harmed the initiative,” he said.

He said in any new initiative, some mistakes, errors or misunderstandings are natural. “Once the misunderstandings are cleared and confusion is removed, it will be evident that there was no other motive behind this initiative,” he added.

Noting that expatriate voters from 122 countries have enrolled in the system (to vote in the next general election and referendum to be held simultaneously on February 12, the CEC expressed hope that the initiative would brighten the image of Bangladesh in the world.

“I believe that one day Bangladesh’s name will shine across the world for successfully implementing this postal ballot system,” he said, adding that many countries, including those in the region, have gained so much success in introducing such a system.

The CEC said when foreigners come to meet him, they said if Bangladesh succeeds in implementing the system, the country’s name would be recorded in world history, as many other nations have not been able to do so.

Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmed, Anwarul Islam Sarkar and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah as well EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed were present at the briefing.​

 

[Saif]

What voters expect when parties speak of a ‘New Bangladesh’

As the 13th national election approaches, calls for building a “New Bangladesh” have once again taken centre stage in political campaigning.

www.thedailystar.net

What voters expect when parties speak of a ‘New Bangladesh’

20 January 2026, 01:20 AM

By Abu Afsarul Haider

VISUAL: ANWAR SOHEL

As the 13th national election approaches, calls for building a “New Bangladesh” have once again taken centre stage in political campaigning. The phrase appears regularly in speeches and rallies, accompanied by promises of good governance, an end to corruption, the restoration of democratic norms, equal rights for citizens, etc. Such commitments, however, are familiar to voters. Similar assurances have featured in election after election over the decades, only to fade once power changed hands. This long history of unfulfilled commitments has left many voters deeply sceptical.

Against this backdrop, it is important to focus on some key issues that ordinary Bangladeshis really expect the winning party or coalition to address if the promise of a “New Bangladesh” is to move beyond slogans and take on real meaning.

One of the most pressing expectations is decisive action against chandabazi, or extortion, and bribery. These practices affect almost every sector of society and have become a daily burden for citizens. Businesses of all kinds, from street hawkers to factory owners, from transport operators to developers and landowners, and from schools to public service offices, suffer badly from this system and are desperate for relief. Street vendors, for instance, face constant harassment and are forced to pay police, corporation officials, and political musclemen simply to keep their spot and avoid eviction or seizure of their goods. Those who resist often face threats, false cases, or unlawful detention. The Bangladesh Hawkers Federation claims that vendors on Dhaka’s footpaths are extorted for around Tk 3,000 crore annually, which amounts to more than Tk 8 crore every day.

In the transport sector, almost every commercial vehicle, including trucks, buses, and microbuses, is routinely forced to pay extortion money to local political cadres. Markets, transport stands, and launch terminals operate under a so-called “token” system, which in reality is nothing more than organised extortion controlled by powerful syndicates. A report by Transparency International Bangladesh, published on March 5, 2024, revealed that private buses and minibuses alone pay nearly Tk 1,059 crore every year in extortion money.

Moreover, there is hardly any public or private project that can move forward without paying bribes or extortion money. According to the committee that prepared the “White Paper on the State of Bangladesh Economy,” during the 15 years of the Sheikh Hasina regime, of the Tk 7.20 lakh crore invested in development projects through the Annual Development Programme, an estimated Tk 1.61 lakh crore to Tk 2.80 lakh crore was lost to corruption, including political extortion, bribery, and inflated project costs. The report further estimates that between Tk 77,000 crore and Tk 98,000 crore were paid as bribes to government officials. Meanwhile, politicians and their associates received Tk 70,000 crore to Tk 1,40,000 crore through extortion and collusive payments. Chandabazi and bribery have long been major sources of public grievances, closely linked to political corruption and weak enforcement of the law, and citizens are demanding firm action to finally resolve them.

Another serious concern that has emerged in recent times is the sharp rise in mob violence, moral policing, and online abuse. While mob violence existed in the past, its scale and nature have changed significantly since August 2024, becoming a frequent and alarming feature across the country. Data from the human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra show that at least 97 people were killed in mob attacks between August and December 2024, while at least 198 people lost their lives to mob attacks in 2025.

Reports from national and independent media indicate that mobs no longer target only individuals. They now attack homes, properties, political party offices, cultural institutions, religious minority communities, and places of worship. Many of these incidents appear to be organised efforts to intimidate communities, exploit religious or ethnic tensions, and destabilise social and political groups. On the night of December 18, 2025, a group of people vandalised, looted, and set alight the offices of the country’s two most widely circulated newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. On the same night, the cultural organisation Chhayanaut was also vandalised and torched.

Several recent incidents further highlight the seriousness of the problem. In August 2025, two men were beaten to death in Sirajganj over alleged cattle theft. Hindu homes were vandalised in Rangpur in July 2025 following a Facebook post. In Lalmonirhat, a 70-year-old barber and his son were attacked in June 2025 following accusations of hurting religious sentiments. In Bhola, a man had his eyes gouged out by a mob in March 2025. In the same month, an Uber driver in Dhaka was beaten to death after being mistaken for a mugger.

Disturbing still is the rise of so-called “moral policing,” with groups of men harassing young girls and women over their clothing, lifestyle choices, or behaviour. At the same time, women who speak up for their rights increasingly face severe online and offline abuse. This includes character assassination, being labelled immoral or promiscuous, body shaming, and threats of violence against them and their families. Such attacks are often coordinated efforts to silence women and discourage their participation in public life. Police data show that 21,936 cases related to violence against women and children were filed in 2025.

Together, these developments show how mob violence and aggression, both online and offline, is eroding Bangladesh’s social fabric, fuelled by rumours, unaddressed anger, and the rapid spread of misinformation through social media, while weak law enforcement has fostered a culture of impunity. This breakdown of the rule of law has also become a major obstacle to doing business in Bangladesh, disrupting supply chains, increasing operating costs, keeping prices high, fuelling inflation, and discouraging both local and foreign investment. As insecurity and uncertainty grow, citizens and businesses alike are left to bear their cumulative costs.

Therefore, restoring the rule of law and dismantling the entrenched systems of bribery and extortion must be central to any claim to build a “New Bangladesh.” Political parties must understand that without a credible commitment to curb mob violence, protect citizens from arbitrary intimidation, and enforce the law impartially, their slogans will remain hollow and public trust will continue to erode. The party or coalition that wins the upcoming election will be judged not by what it says about change, but by whether it finally demonstrates the political will to deliver it.

Abu Afsarul Haider is an entrepreneur.​

 

[Saif]

Feb 12 polls to set standard for future: Yunus

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday stressed on holding the forthcoming general elections slated for February 12 in a manner that it can set a standard for polls in the country in future.

www.newagebd.net

Feb 12 polls to set standard for future: Yunus
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 22 January, 2026, 00:25

A 23-member delegation of the 9th National Pay Commission, led by its chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan, along with chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and others pose for a group photo after submitting its report at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka on Wednesday. | PID photo

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday stressed on holding the forthcoming general elections slated for February 12 in a manner that it can set a standard for polls in the country in future.

‘The 2026 polls should be such an election that will set a standard for future elections,’ he said.

The chief adviser made the remarks while chairing a high-level meeting on the overall law and order situation at his office in Dhaka’s Tejgaon area ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections and the referendum on the implementation of the July national charter.

Later, chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media about the meeting at the Foreign Service Academy.

At the meeting, Yunus said, ‘Our task is actually to assist the election commission. This is a major challenge for the nation, which we must take on, and we must complete this huge task and establish it as a historic achievement.’

He said that utmost attention must be paid so that there is no shortage of anything on election day, adding that there must be no lapses anywhere on February 12.

‘Our step-by-step tests have started ahead of the elections. Starting from on Wednesday, the final test will be held on February 12,’ the chief adviser said, adding, the directives of the EC are now the highest directives, and everyone must work together in accordance with the EC’s instructions.

Yunus said home ministry will remain in the central role of the law and order command.

Noting that there are various challenges now, including the challenge of multiple technologies, he said, ‘We will use body-worn cameras and CCTV cameras in this election while everything will be monitored from a central control room’.

The chief adviser stressed that there must be no lack of coordination among the forces while performing their duties.

He noted that a large number of domestic and foreign journalists will cover the election while domestic and foreign observers are showing great interest, saying, ‘They have taken the matter very seriously, and we also must be super serious about this.’

‘We must remain prepared for everything. Given the current situation and the preparations in place, it is possible to hold a good election,’ Yunus said.

All those contesting in the election are maintaining a positive attitude and mutual harmony,

he said, expressing hope that none of them would deviate from this attitude.

Home adviser retired Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, power, energy and mineral resources adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, special assistant to the chief adviser on defence and national solidarity development retired Lieutenant General Abdul Hafiz, national security adviser Khalilur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for posts, telecommunications and information technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, cabinet secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, chief of army staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, chief of naval staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, chief of air staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, chief adviser’s principal secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah, home affairs secretary Nasimul Ghani, EC’s senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed, inspector general of police Baharul Alam and chiefs of Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, Coast Guard and Rapid Action Battalion and representatives from different intelligence agencies were present.

During the meeting, the home secretary presented a video documentary on the use of body-worn cameras.

Watching the documentary, the chief adviser said that body-worn cameras have many potential uses, and if it is utilised properly, it will be possible to achieve success on a massive scale.

Yunus said that meetings will now be held every week, and if necessary, at even shorter intervals.​

 

[Saif]

BNP announces 5 programmes at the start of election campaign

As the 13th national parliamentary election approaches, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced five programmes on the first day of the election campaign. The party stated that these programmes aim to ensure the direct participation of people from all walks of life in the...

en.prothomalo.com

BNP announces 5 programmes at the start of election campaign

Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 22 Jan 2026, 20: 05

Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the party's election steering committee and adviser to the party chairman, presented the details of these programmes at a press conference. Courtesy: BNP

As the 13th national parliamentary election approaches, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced five programmes on the first day of the election campaign.

The party stated that these programmes aim to ensure the direct participation of people from all walks of life in the policy-making process for building the future state.

This evening, at a press conference organised at the BNP election office in Gulshan, Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the party's election steering committee and adviser to the party chairman, presented the details of these programmes.

In the press conference, Mahdi Amin stated that according to the schedule announced by the election commission, the election campaign has started officially today, Thursday.

As part of this campaign, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has taken initiatives to prioritise public opinion and advice in policy-making.


Mahdi Amin mentioned that the first programme is the ''Advise Tarique Rahman'' initiative. Under this initiative, a QR code will be distributed nationwide through posters and danglers.

By scanning the QR code, anyone can directly send their opinions, thoughts, and advice to Tarique Rahman. The feedback received through this initiative will be given importance in making necessary decisions for future governance, he stated.

The second programme, ''Letter to Tarique Rahman,'' allows citizens to send their expectations and proposals for the future of Bangladesh via letters, emails, and online. A designated address in Gulshan-2, as well as an email and online platform, have been set up for sending letters.

As the third programme, Mahdi Amin noted the ''Match My Policy'' swipe-based web app.

He mentioned that over 300,000 people have already expressed their opinions on various BNP policies and plans through this simple and user-friendly app. This initiative aims to encourage political participation and policy-based discussions among the youth in the new Bangladesh.

The fourth programme, ''The Plan: Youth Policy Talk with Tarique Rahman,'' involved BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman engaging in discussions with local youths in Sylhet. Discussions covered various topics, including employment, education, agriculture, health, environment, information technology, and women's empowerment.

A total of 127 students from different educational institutions participated in the event.

Tarique Rahman's spouse, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were present at the event.

As the fifth programme, Mahdi Amin mentioned the eight leaflets of the BNP.

He stated that these leaflets have been prepared to highlight BNP's policies and Tarique Rahman's vision across different sectors, and these have already been discussed in diplomatic circles.

In the press conference, Mahdi Amin further stated that BNP provided a clear outline for state reform with Vision-2030 in 2016, followed by 27 points and finally 31 points.

Alongside movements and struggles, BNP is progressing by embodying the people's aspirations through a continuity of policy-based politics, he commented.​

 

[Saif]

500 foreign observers, journalists expected to oversee upcoming polls: EC

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhter Ahmed has said nearly 500 foreign observers and journalists are expected to come to Bangladesh to observe the 13th National Parliament Election and the referendum scheduled for February 12. “We expect nearly 500 foreign observers and journalis

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

500 foreign observers, journalists expected to oversee upcoming polls: EC

BSS
Published :
Jan 23, 2026 16:16
Updated :
Jan 23, 2026 16:16

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhter Ahmed has said nearly 500 foreign observers and journalists are expected to come to Bangladesh to observe the 13th National Parliament Election and the referendum scheduled for February 12.

“We expect nearly 500 foreign observers and journalists will arrive here to oversee the election,” he said at a press briefing held at Nirbachan Commission Bhaban in Agargaon on Thursday.

Akhter Ahmed said the EC has invited 83 observers from different international organisations, of whom 36 have so far confirmed their participation, while five organisations have declined the invitation.

“Confirmation from some organisations is still pending,” he added.

He said a total of 78 foreign observers and 50 foreign journalists have already expressed interest in coming to Bangladesh to oversee the election.

The EC senior secretary said a help desk will be set up at the airport for foreign observers, while they will stay mainly at Hotel InterContinental, where a help desk and a media cell will also be opened.

“The Election Commission will coordinate its activities at different points,” he said.

Akhter Ahmed said currently 56 representatives from the European Union are staying in the capital, adding that the number is expected to rise to nearly 300 in phases.

“We invited two observers from the Commonwealth Secretariat, but around 10 members are likely to come,” he said.

He also said that although two observers were invited from Turkey, the number could increase to nine.

Akhter Ahmed said arrangements will be made for visa-on-arrival facilities for observers and journalists coming from countries where Bangladesh does not have visa facilities or diplomatic missions.​

 

[Saif]

How AI and deepfakes can create alarm in the elections

Incidents in Bangladesh and elsewhere in which AI-driven disinformation has distorted electoral processes demonstrate that the misuse of technology is dangerous for democracy.

en.prothomalo.com

How AI and deepfakes can create alarm in the elections

• Fake videos, fabricated posts and concocted campaigns created with the help of artificial intelligence are being widely used on social media with the aim of influencing voter psychology. • Incidents of AI-driven disinformation in Bangladesh and elsewhere around the world show that the misuse of technology can distort the electoral process and pose a serious threat to democracy. • It is crucial for political parties and candidates to fact-check information in their own campaigns, clearly identify their official digital channels, and take swift action against suspicious content.

Md Mizanur Rahman
Updated: 23 Jan 2026, 11: 38

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a significant component of contemporary technological advancement. It is capable of functioning by mimicking human-like thinking, learning abilities and decision-making processes. While AI is bringing progress and convenience to society, its misuse can also give rise to various complex problems. In particular, its application poses risks in areas such as verifying the authenticity of information, personal privacy and social security.

The misuse of artificial intelligence in fields such as elections, business and healthcare can create confusion, cause harm, and lead to ethical and social deadlocks. For example, there have been international instances of AI-based deepfake (near-perfect replicas of reality) technology being used to spread misinformation in the healthcare sector.

In the economy, too, there are major examples of fraud carried out using artificial intelligence. Globally, there have been incidents of deepfake scams in which the voices and videos of senior officials were impersonated to siphon off employees’ bank accounts or obtain sensitive institutional information. These tactics have not only caused financial losses but have also eroded public trust and confidence in institutions.

Just as technological advancement has transformed society in Bangladesh, it is also opening a new chapter in electoral politics. With the expansion of digital platforms and the easy availability of AI-based tools, political campaigning is no longer confined to stages or leaflets; fake videos, fabricated posts and concocted campaigns created with the help of artificial intelligence are now being widely used on social media to influence voter psychology.

In the context of Bangladesh, especially with the 13th parliamentary election approaching, the issue has come to the forefront of contemporary political discourse. AI-generated content is being seen as a major threat, as it can mislead voters with false information and call into question the very foundations of democracy.

Across the world, AI-driven disinformation has been used during elections to misdirect voters and shape or derail public opinion. The impact of automated social media tools and misinformation campaigns during the 2016 and 2020 elections in the United States has been widely discussed; similar instances of AI-based videos and false posts have been observed in Europe and South Asia. These have affected electoral trust and democratic transparency.

During Slovakia’s 2023 parliamentary election, an attempt was made to mislead voters by circulating a fake audio clip on social media that mimicked the voice of an opposition leader. In the 2024 New Hampshire primary election, AI-generated robocalls were used to confuse voters by spreading false information about voting dates or procedures.

There is also evidence from European Union elections of AI-driven chatbots being used to provide misleading guidance to voters. This is seen as an attempt to influence the behaviour and participation of ordinary voters. Such content typically goes viral quickly, blurring the distinction between real and false information and creating misunderstandings about the electoral process.

According to research by the German organisation Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), numerous incidents of deepfakes have occurred in recent elections around the world. Examples include the United States, Turkey, Slovakia, Argentina, Indonesia, India, Poland, Bulgaria, Taiwan, Zambia and France.

Most recently, ahead of Moldova’s 2025 parliamentary election, a large volume of AI-driven disinformation was spread. The aim was to turn public opinion against the government, using more than a thousand YouTube channels, TikTok and Facebook accounts. This enabled the dissemination of Kremlin-backed propaganda.

Such coordinated “engagement farms” have helped create false perceptions among voters and attempted to undermine trust in the country’s pro-European party PAS.

In Bangladesh’s 2024 parliamentary election, a deepfake video was circulated in a constituency in Gaibandha falsely announcing that a candidate had withdrawn from the race—an assertion that was later proven untrue. Although the candidate eventually won, the incident raised questions at the time about the credibility of the electoral process.

When political trust is undermined through AI-driven disinformation, voters may lose confidence in the electoral system itself.

This can lead to a decline in political participation, a growing tendency to abstain from voting, or increased scepticism about the act of voting itself. Misinformation can tilt the political landscape in such a way that false narratives take precedence over substantive issues. Incidents in Bangladesh and elsewhere around the world in which AI-driven disinformation has distorted electoral processes demonstrate that the misuse of technology is dangerous for democracy.

In Bangladesh, the use of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology has grown rapidly since mid-2025, surpassing the levels seen in 2024. An analysis by Dismislab shows that in the second quarter of 2025, the number of AI-generated videos and images used in the country increased significantly.

More than 1,361 unique instances of misinformation were identified, of which nearly one thousand were related to political matters. One example of targeted misinformation was a photo card that went viral on social media, falsely claiming that a leader of the Ganadhikar Parishad had been misrepresented, a claim later debunked through fact-checking.

FactWatch reports also show that AI-generated deepfake videos are being created and circulated to produce misleading content against political parties or administrative officials.

According to a report by the Dhaka Tribune, AI-driven videos on Bangladesh’s social media have altered the statements of political leaders and administrative officials, creating confusion and division.

A research report notes that ‘fake information and malicious campaigns’ have posed unprecedented risks to the credibility of the electoral process, social stability, and the political participation of women and marginalised communities. The aim of such misinformation or AI-generated content is generally to influence voter psychology, damage the reputation of opponents, create division and tension, and mislead public opinion regarding election campaigns, thereby endangering free and fair elections. Addressing this situation requires a multidimensional approach in Bangladesh.

Fact-checking platforms must be strengthened, the Election Commission’s technical capacity enhanced, and political parties and media compelled to follow transparency and ethical campaigning. Moreover, an effective framework integrating digital security and electoral laws is urgently needed

Firstly, fact-checking platforms and truth-verification initiatives must be strengthened so that voters can quickly verify which information is false.

Secondly, the Election Commission and the government need to enhance their technical capacity to detect AI-driven misinformation and take legal action. As part of this effort, plans have already been proposed to launch a dedicated mobile app or a digital monitoring system.

Thirdly, political parties must ensure transparent campaigning and adhere to digital ethics, committing themselves against the use of deepfakes or fabricated information.

Fourthly, the media and civil society need to focus on raising public awareness, preventing misinformation, and promoting evidence-based reporting. Citizens themselves should pay attention to quickly verifying the truth whenever they encounter controversial content on social media and avoid spreading false information. Educational institutions and youth organizations can provide training in misinformation detection so that young voters become proficient in digital analysis.

An effective framework must be established by integrating the Digital Security Act, electoral laws, and appropriate regulations. Such a framework should ensure that the dissemination of AI-driven misinformation is strictly punishable. If, in Bangladesh’s upcoming elections, such narratives reach voters and distort public opinion, the impact will extend beyond election results, negatively affecting the country’s democratic stability and political credibility. Therefore, timely high-level preparation, enhanced technical capacity, and the development of political and social awareness are essential.

Ultimately, the key to safeguarding against the misuse of AI technology lies in information awareness, technical preparedness, a robust legal framework, and a culture of accountable politics—all of which will ensure free, transparent, and fair elections in Bangladesh.

Taking coordinated and multidimensional initiatives to prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence is now an urgent necessity. First, the government and relevant regulatory bodies should formulate clear laws and policies that explicitly define AI-driven misinformation, deepfakes, and digital fraud as criminal offenses, with provisions for swift justice and exemplary punishment.

The Election Commission and political authorities should incorporate transparent guidelines for the use of AI and digital content in electoral codes of conduct and require candidates and parties to commit in writing not to use misinformation or deepfakes.

It is essential for political parties and candidates to fact-check information in their own campaigns, clearly identify their official digital channels, and take swift action against suspicious content. For law enforcement and security agencies, the formation of specialized cyber and AI forensic units is necessary, capable of rapidly detecting, tracing the source of, and removing fake content.

At the same time, the media, technology platforms, and civil society should strengthen coordinated fact-checking, public awareness initiatives, and digital literacy programs. This will enable ordinary people to distinguish between false and true information themselves. Only the collective and responsible actions of all these actors can prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence and safeguard society, security, and democracy.

Law enforcement agencies can play a central role in preventing the misuse of AI. First, they can establish specialised cyber units to identify and investigate AI-driven misinformation, deepfake videos, and digital fraud, monitoring social media, websites, and other digital platforms. Second, they can ensure punishment for offenders and alert the public by conducting swift and exemplary cases under relevant laws.

Finally, it must be noted that Bangladesh was under the grip of authoritarianism for over a decade and a half. Now, there is an opportunity to restore democracy. But if AI is used to influence election outcomes, the country’s democratic stability, voter confidence, and social cohesion could be undermined, political tensions could rise, and international reputation could be damaged.

To address this challenge, fact-checking platforms must be strengthened, the Election Commission’s technical capacity enhanced, and political parties and media compelled to follow transparency and ethical campaigning. Moreover, an effective framework integrating digital security and electoral laws is urgently needed.

* Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman is an economist and researcher​

 

[Saif]

Asif Mahmud accuses Tarique Rahman of violating electoral code of conduct

Calls for action from Election Commission

www.thedailystar.net

Asif Mahmud accuses Tarique Rahman of violating electoral code of conduct

Calls for action from Election Commission

By Star Online Report

File Photo

National Citizen Party (NCP) has alleged that BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is violating the electoral code of conduct during the ongoing election campaign.

At a press conference at the NCP’s Bangla Motor office on Friday night, NCP spokesperson and election management committee chief Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said Tarique Rahman has been breaching rules since the first day of campaigning.

He accused BNP of holding public meetings late at night, using microphones and sound boxes beyond the permitted hours of 2pm to 8pm.

“Meetings at 12am and even 4am are clear violations of the code of conduct,” he said.

Asif urged the Election Commission to take action, warning that violations at the highest level of a party encourage wider disregard for rules.

“The code of conduct is the same for everyone. If anyone from the NCP or the ten‑party alliance violates it, they should also be brought to justice,” he said.

The NCP leader further accused sections of the media of bias, claiming that 69 journalists, including senior editors, had aligned with a particular party’s campaign in Dhaka‑17.

“You have already seen the consequences of media bias. I hope the same thing does not happen again,” he warned.

The former adviser said referendum campaign must reach marginal areas to counter rumours and raise awareness.​