Disinformation Poses Major Challenge to Election Integrity

Disinformation Emerges as Primary Concern Ahead of Bangladesh’s Parliamentary Election

Disinformation and misinformation have been identified as the foremost challenges facing Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, according to Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday following a meeting with a European Union delegation at the Election Building in Agargaon, Ahmed outlined the commission’s concerns and preparations for the national polls.

“We reiterated what we have been saying from the beginning—that disinformation or misinformation is the biggest challenge in the election,” Ahmed stated. The commission has already initiated discussions with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, seeking cooperation to address the issue on social media platforms.

Rather than implementing broad measures like reducing internet speeds, which could affect the entire digital ecosystem, the EC has requested targeted removal of problematic content. “We have requested them to remove satirical, aggressive, and disinformation-driven content,” Ahmed explained, noting that the commission is working diligently to maintain information integrity at “a respectable level.”

The proliferation of false information during election periods has become a global concern in recent years, with social media platforms increasingly under pressure to monitor and remove content that could mislead voters or incite unrest. Bangladesh, with its growing internet penetration and social media usage, faces similar challenges as many other democracies worldwide.

During the meeting, the EU delegation inquired about security arrangements for the upcoming election. Ahmed confirmed comprehensive deployment plans are in place, with the Bangladesh Army mobilizing for seven days and Ansar forces for eight days during the election period. While police and military personnel continue their routine duties, they will operate under a special deployment framework specifically designed for the election.

“Police and the army are already performing their routine duties, but they will operate under a special deployment plan for the election,” he said, underscoring the government’s commitment to maintaining security throughout the electoral process.

The EC Secretary also addressed the process for handling political complaints, directing parties to submit grievances to the local Electoral Inquiry and Adjudication Committees. These committees, established throughout the country, serve as the first line for resolving electoral disputes at the local level.

With election day approaching, Ahmed confirmed all campaign activities will be suspended from 7:30 am on February 10, creating a 48-hour cooling-off period before citizens head to the polls. This standard practice aims to provide voters with time to reflect on their choices without the pressure of last-minute campaigning.

In addition to traditional security forces, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) members will assist with various election-related duties during the polls, Ahmed confirmed. These cadets typically help with logistics and support functions at polling stations.

The EU delegation’s interest in Bangladesh’s electoral preparations comes as part of international efforts to observe and support democratic processes worldwide. While not confirmed in Ahmed’s statements, EU delegations often serve as precursors to formal election observation missions that monitor polling processes and evaluate their adherence to democratic standards.

As Bangladesh prepares for this pivotal democratic exercise, the focus on combating disinformation highlights the evolving nature of election integrity concerns in the digital age. The EC’s approach of engaging directly with social media platforms represents an increasingly common strategy as electoral bodies worldwide adapt to new technological challenges in safeguarding democratic processes.