Surge of Disinformation Campaigns Precedes Bangladesh Election

In a digital age where information spreads at lightning speed, Bangladesh is facing an unprecedented wave of disinformation ahead of its critical elections. Experts report an alarming surge in fake content circulating online, much of it created using artificial intelligence tools.

“We are noticing a huge amount of fake information compared to other times,” said Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, head of the Dhaka-based research organization Digitally Right. Chowdhury points to the accessibility of free AI tools that have made creating sophisticated fake content significantly easier than in previous election cycles.

The problem extends beyond text to include manipulated videos. In one instance, AI-generated footage shows Bangladeshis apparently praising former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country after her government was toppled. Hasina remains a deeply divisive figure who has since been sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity.

The disinformation campaign has spilled over into sports, creating diplomatic tensions with neighboring India. Social media outrage from Hindu fundamentalists targeted the lone Bangladeshi cricket player in India’s domestic Indian Premier League (IPL), resulting in his contract being canceled. The controversy escalated dramatically, leading to Bangladesh’s national team withdrawing from this month’s T20 World Cup in India—a significant development in a region where cricket holds immense cultural importance.

While analysts suggest much of the disinformation originates from India, there is no concrete evidence indicating that these widespread media posts are part of an organized government campaign. India’s foreign ministry has maintained a delicate balance in its public statements, noting a “disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities” by “extremists in Bangladesh,” while also emphasizing its support for “free, fair, inclusive and credible elections” in the country.

Bangladeshi officials are struggling to contain the flood of misleading content. Md Ruhul Amin Mallik, spokesman for the Bangladesh Election Commission, confirmed they have established a dedicated unit to monitor social media and are collaborating with Meta, Facebook’s parent company. “If our team detects any content as harmful and misleading, we instantly announce it as fake information,” Mallik explained. Despite these efforts, the sheer volume of online content makes comprehensive monitoring nearly impossible.

The situation represents a particularly acute risk for Bangladesh given its digital landscape. Government statistics indicate that more than 80 percent of urban households and nearly 70 percent of rural households possess at least one smartphone. However, digital literacy has not kept pace with this rapid technology adoption.

Jasmine Tuli, an election expert and former election commission official, highlighted this vulnerability. “It is a big threat for a country like Bangladesh, since people don’t have much awareness to check the information,” she said. “Due to AI-generated fake visuals, voters get misguided in their decision.”

This surge in sophisticated disinformation comes at a critical juncture for Bangladesh’s democracy. The country of 170 million people has experienced political turbulence in recent years, with allegations of electoral irregularities in previous votes. The current election represents an important opportunity for democratic consolidation, but the spread of AI-generated fake news threatens to undermine public trust in the electoral process.

Digital rights advocates are calling for increased public awareness campaigns and more robust fact-checking mechanisms. However, they acknowledge the asymmetric nature of the problem—fabricated content can be created in minutes but requires significantly more time and resources to debunk.

As Bangladesh approaches its election day, the challenge of distinguishing fact from fiction online has become central to preserving the integrity of its democratic processes. With AI technology continuing to advance, the country’s experience may serve as a cautionary tale for other emerging democracies navigating elections in the digital age.