AI Disinformation Threatens Bangladesh’s 2026 Election: Protecting Voter Integrity

As Bangladesh approaches its election, the nation faces a new challenge beyond traditional political issues: artificial intelligence-fueled misinformation. With nearly half the population connected to the internet and over a third active on social media, the potential for AI-generated deepfakes to manipulate voter perception has emerged as a significant concern.

Bangladesh’s demographic makeup—featuring a median age of 26 and widespread high-speed internet—creates perfect conditions for rapid information spread. This connectivity means that sophisticated AI manipulations can reach millions of voters within moments, potentially distorting public perception and triggering unrest during the sensitive electoral period.

Recent international elections demonstrate how AI has already influenced democratic processes worldwide. During India’s 2024 elections, deepfakes were employed both strategically and maliciously. Some political parties used AI creatively, dubbing their leaders’ speeches into regional languages and even “reviving” deceased political figures to appeal to young voters. However, the technology was also weaponized with fabricated videos showing Bollywood stars Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi—claims both celebrities promptly denied.

In neighboring Pakistan, the February 2024 elections saw AI deployed both for and against former Prime Minister Imran Khan while he was imprisoned. His supporters utilized his image and voice in deepfakes to rally voters, while opponents created deceptive content suggesting Khan was calling for an election boycott, causing confusion among his base.

The United States experienced similar challenges during its 2024 presidential race, with voter suppression attempts including an AI-generated robocall mimicking President Joe Biden’s voice to discourage New Hampshire primary voters from participating. This incident resulted in Federal Communications Commission fines and criminal indictments.

Perhaps most alarming is Romania’s case, where the Constitutional Court took the extraordinary step of annulling the country’s 2024 presidential election due to AI-enhanced misinformation campaigns. Russian actors reportedly flooded TikTok and Telegram with fabricated endorsements supporting a pro-Russia candidate, ultimately undermining electoral integrity.

For Bangladesh to safeguard its democratic process, experts suggest implementing a multi-layered defense strategy. Immediate measures could include establishing a specialized task force combining the Election Commission, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, and major tech platforms like Meta and Google to rapidly identify and remove deepfake content.

Developing a rapid-response fact-checking unit would provide another critical line of defense. Political parties themselves should commit to avoiding the creation or promotion of deepfakes and clearly label any AI-generated campaign materials to maintain transparency with voters.

Long-term solutions require more structural changes. Bangladesh would benefit from integrating AI literacy into its national curriculum and partnering with universities and NGOs to conduct public awareness workshops. Major social media platforms should be required to employ Bangla-speaking fact-checkers and produce transparent post-election reports on information integrity.

Legislative action is equally important. With technical assistance from international development partners, Bangladesh needs to implement comprehensive AI policies and regulations. Joining global election integrity forums through the United Nations would enable intelligence sharing on deepfakes and strengthen defenses against foreign interference.

The fundamental challenge extends beyond whether authorities can detect and remove deepfakes quickly enough—it questions whether Bangladesh’s society can build the resilience needed to withstand sophisticated information manipulation. A comprehensive approach combining technical detection, transparent labeling, platform accountability, improved AI literacy, and international cooperation represents the most promising path forward.

Evidence from other countries suggests that when proper safeguards exist, AI’s impact on election outcomes can be contained. Bangladesh now has the opportunity to demonstrate that a democracy can effectively protect its voters from artificial deception. The stakes extend beyond the immediate election results—failure risks eroding the foundational public trust upon which meaningful democracy depends.