AI Disinformation Floods Nepal’s First Election Since Social Media Ban Protests

Sophisticated AI-generated disinformation is overwhelming Nepal’s electoral landscape as the country prepares for Thursday’s pivotal parliamentary elections, the first since deadly protests in September 2025 toppled the government.

The upcoming vote represents a critical juncture in Nepal’s democracy following last year’s unrest, which was sparked when the government briefly banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. The protests, largely organized by tech-savvy youth frustrated with chronic unemployment and political corruption, resulted in at least 77 deaths, the burning of parliament, and the collapse of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government.

“In a country where digital literacy is low, people believe what they see,” explained Deepak Adhikari, editor of the independent NepalCheck fact-checking team, highlighting the vulnerability of Nepal’s electorate to digital manipulation.

Political parties across the spectrum are leveraging social media platforms to connect with voters, particularly targeting young citizens and first-time voters. However, experts warn that the line between legitimate campaigning and deliberate misinformation has become dangerously blurred.

Kathmandu-based technology policy researcher Samik Kharel described the pre-election environment as a “digital battleground,” noting Nepal’s limited capacity to monitor and regulate the flood of machine-generated content. “It is even hard for experts to figure out what is real and fake,” Kharel told AFP.

The scale of potential influence is substantial, with more than 56 percent of Nepal’s 30 million citizens online. Internet analytics firm DataReportal estimates 14.8 million Nepalese use Facebook, 4.3 million are active on Instagram, and approximately 2.2 million engage with TikTok.

Ammaarah Nilafdeen from the U.S.-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate emphasized the severity of the situation: “Disinformation remains a top concern that could undermine the integrity of the election process. Nepal is grappling with the scale of the threat that disinformation poses to society and democracy at large.”

Recent examples of election-related disinformation highlight the sophistication of these campaigns. Supporters of the ousted premier’s Marxist party circulated AI-generated images falsely depicting massive rallies with over 500,000 attendees. TechPana, a Nepali fact-checking organization, determined these images were created using OpenAI’s ChatGPT, while police reported the actual attendance at these events was less than 5,000 people.

In another incident, a fabricated TikTok video showed Gagan Thapa, a leader of the Nepali Congress party, supposedly endorsing a rival party. The platform has since removed the video.

The situation is further complicated by cross-border influence. Nilafdeen noted that posts advocating for the restoration of Nepal’s abolished Hindu monarchy have circulated widely, amplified by Hindu far-right supporters in neighboring India. These “ideological pushes” stand in direct opposition to domestic demands for strengthening Nepal’s democratic institutions.

Nepal’s Election Commission acknowledges the widespread use of hate speech and deepfake content, including AI-generated videos depicting candidates using offensive language or insulting opponents. “It is a concerning issue,” said commission information officer Suman Ghimire, adding that more than 600 cases have been forwarded to authorities, with approximately 150 currently under police investigation.

In one high-profile enforcement action, police detained pro-royalist supporter Durga Prasai for social media posts allegedly intended to intimidate voters.

Though the Election Commission can impose fines or disqualify candidates, experts warn these measures are inadequate against the overwhelming volume of disinformation. “Candidates and people close to political parties not only compete to win, but also compete to spread misinformation,” said Basanta Basnet, editor-in-chief of news website Onlinekhabar.

Nepal FactCheck, which collaborates with Onlinekhabar to verify online content, has warned that misinformation drives citizens toward flawed decision-making, ultimately undermining the “foundation of democracy” in a country still navigating its path toward stable democratic governance.

As Thursday’s election approaches, Nepal finds itself at a crossroads, balancing the democratic potential of digital connectivity against the growing threat of AI-enabled electoral manipulation.