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Election Misinformation Surges as Bangladesh Approaches February Polls
Election-related misinformation is evolving rapidly as Bangladesh’s February 12 polls draw closer, with false narratives increasingly focusing on campaign activities, nomination papers, and electoral alliances. A recent analysis by Dismislab reveals that the overall volume of election-related false content has risen by more than 41 percent in just one month.
Between December 16, 2025, and January 15, 2026, fact-checkers identified 89 distinct election-related misinformation items, up from 63 in the previous month. During this four-week period, weekly election-related fact-checks increased dramatically from 10 to 31, showing a threefold rise in detected false information.
Some of the most concerning misinformation attempts to undermine the election’s legitimacy. False statements attributed to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus claimed “There will be no election in Bangladesh on February 12,” suggesting he intended to remain in power for five years. Similarly, fabricated quotes from Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah announced a non-existent suspension of the election. Fact-checkers have confirmed these attributions are entirely false.
Alliance-related misinformation has emerged as a dominant theme, particularly targeting the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, which has fluctuated between 10 and 11 participating parties. False claims suggested that Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman endorsed Mamunul Haque as the only qualified candidate for president or prime minister. Other fabricated reports claimed Mamunul had been removed from leadership positions within Hefazat-e-Islam to join the alliance. Fact-checkers debunked both claims.
The electoral landscape has been in flux, with the Bangladesh Labour Party joining the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance on January 24, transforming it back into an 11-party coalition. This fluid political environment has created fertile ground for misinformation, with false statements attributed to National Citizen Party leaders about potential alliances with Jamaat.
The opposition BNP-led alliance has also been targeted. Fake photocards bearing the name of daily Amar Desh falsely claimed the BNP had cancelled its seat-sharing agreement with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh. Fact-checkers confirmed that no such decision was made, Amar Desh published no such content, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam continues to contest four seats under the BNP-led alliance.
In the wake of the assassination of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a prospective candidate in Dhaka-8, false claims circulated that Ducsu office-bearers Fatima Tasnim Zuma and Shadik Kayem planned to contest the seat. Additional fabricated reports alleged the Election Commission had cancelled nominations for BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, along with 13 BNP aspirants.
The misinformation landscape has grown more sophisticated with the emergence of artificial intelligence-generated content. One AI-created video circulating on Facebook appeared to show Zubaida Rahman seeking votes for BNP while offering financial assistance. Another synthetic video falsely depicted a Bangladesh army officer campaigning for Jamaat. These developments mark a concerning evolution in the tools used to spread electoral falsehoods.
Old videos from other countries have been repurposed as supposed election campaign footage from Bangladesh. One falsely claimed to show former Awami League lawmaker Mashrafe Bin Mortaza campaigning, though verification revealed the footage was from 2023. Another video from India was misrepresented as showing a Bangladeshi candidate distributing blankets during a cold wave.
Fake attributions involving political leaders and interim government advisers remain persistent, with at least 43 such claims identified during the one-month analysis period. These included a counterfeit photocard falsely quoting Law Adviser Asif Nazrul claiming Tarique Rahman would be ineligible to contest the election.
Fabricated polling data has also appeared frequently. Various social media posts have made contradictory claims about public opinion, including assertions that Sheikh Hasina had the highest chance of becoming prime minister, while others falsely claimed “99 percent of people” believed Shafiqur Rahman would assume the role.
The findings are based on analysis of fact-check reports from nine organizations including Rumor Scanner, BoomBD, NewsChecker, Fact Crescendo, Fact Watch, AFP Bangladesh, Ajker Patrika, Dismislab, and The Dissent. While 103 fact-check reports were published during the period, overlapping reports were consolidated to identify the 89 unique misinformation items analyzed.
As the election approaches, the proliferation of increasingly sophisticated misinformation threatens to undermine the integrity of Bangladesh’s electoral process and public confidence in democratic institutions.
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8 Comments
The mining and energy sectors will be closely watched during the Bangladeshi election, as policies around natural resource extraction, energy production, and foreign investment could have significant economic implications. Fact-based reporting on these issues will be crucial.
It’s concerning to see the surge in election-related misinformation in Bangladesh. Maintaining the integrity of the electoral process is crucial for a healthy democracy. I hope the election authorities and fact-checkers can effectively counter these false narratives.
Absolutely. Disinformation campaigns that try to undermine the legitimacy of elections are a serious threat. Fact-checking and public awareness efforts will be key to combating this.
While it’s concerning to see the rise in election-related misinformation, I’m encouraged that fact-checkers are actively working to identify and debunk false narratives. Maintaining public trust in the electoral process is paramount.
Agreed. Proactive fact-checking and public education efforts are essential to countering the spread of disinformation during elections. Vigilance from all stakeholders will be key to preserving democratic integrity.
Disinformation often thrives in the absence of reliable information. I hope the Bangladeshi election authorities and media outlets make a concerted effort to provide the public with timely, factual updates on the electoral process.
The mining and commodities sectors are closely watched during election periods, as policy changes can impact their performance. I’m curious to see if any of the election-related misinformation attempts to spread false narratives about these industries.
That’s a good point. Misinformation targeting the mining and commodities sectors could be used to sway public opinion or influence market behavior. Vigilance from industry analysts and regulators will be important.