Flood of disinformation ahead of Bangladesh election

As Bangladesh approaches its January 7 general election, the nation is contending with a deluge of disinformation that threatens to undermine the democratic process and inflame existing tensions in the South Asian country of 170 million people.

Election officials and digital rights experts have raised alarms about the unprecedented scale of false information circulating on social media platforms and messaging apps. Much of this content appears designed to influence voters or discredit political opponents in what has become one of the most contentious electoral battles in Bangladesh’s history.

“We’re seeing coordinated campaigns of misleading content at a volume we’ve never witnessed before in Bangladesh,” said Dr. Sayeed Rahman, a digital media researcher at Dhaka University. “The sophistication of these operations suggests significant resources behind them.”

The disinformation campaigns have taken various forms, from doctored videos of political speeches to fabricated news reports claiming candidate withdrawals. In one widely circulated instance, a manipulated video appeared to show Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina making derogatory comments about rural voters, when the original footage contained no such statements.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has established a dedicated monitoring cell to identify and counter false electoral information, but officials admit they’re struggling to keep pace with the sheer volume of content requiring verification.

“For every piece of disinformation we debunk, ten more emerge,” said Election Commission spokesperson Mohammad Alamgir. “We’re working with social media companies to expedite the removal of harmful content, but the process is not always as swift as the situation demands.”

The country’s political landscape is already fraught with tension. Prime Minister Hasina’s Awami League, which has held power since 2009, faces challenges from the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a coalition of smaller parties. The BNP has accused the government of authoritarian tactics, while the ruling party maintains it has delivered economic growth and stability.

In this charged atmosphere, disinformation has proven particularly potent. Fact-checking organizations report that false claims about voting procedures and candidate eligibility have spread rapidly, potentially confusing voters and undermining confidence in electoral institutions.

“We’re particularly concerned about disinformation targeting young, first-time voters who get most of their information online,” said Jahangir Alam of the Bangladesh Fact-Checking Coalition. “These voters represent about 15 percent of the electorate and could significantly influence the outcome.”

International observers have also expressed concern. The United Nations has urged all parties to combat misinformation, while tech companies including Meta and Twitter (now X) have announced special measures for the Bangladesh election, including expanded fact-checking partnerships and accelerated content review processes.

The disinformation problem reflects broader regional trends, with similar challenges observed in recent elections across South Asia. However, Bangladesh’s high internet penetration rate—over 70 percent of the population has access—combined with its vibrant but polarized social media landscape makes it particularly vulnerable.

Economic implications of the electoral disinformation are also significant. The garment industry, which accounts for more than 80 percent of Bangladesh’s export earnings and employs millions, depends on political stability. Several industry associations have issued statements expressing concern that election-related misinformation could trigger unrest and disrupt production.

“Foreign investors and buyers are watching this election closely,” noted economist Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank’s Dhaka office. “Perception matters in global markets, and widespread disinformation creates uncertainty that could impact investment decisions.”

Civil society organizations have launched media literacy campaigns in response, but these efforts face significant hurdles given the limited time before election day. Some telecommunications experts have suggested that Bangladesh may need to consider regulatory frameworks specifically designed to address election-related disinformation in future contests.

As the election approaches, authorities have pledged to maintain internet connectivity, rejecting suggestions of a shutdown that some countries have employed during periods of political tension. However, there are concerns that selective content filtering could occur if disinformation leads to violence.

With polling day fast approaching, the battle against electoral disinformation has become as crucial as the political contest itself, highlighting the evolving challenges to democratic processes in the digital age.