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In the lead-up to Bangladesh’s watershed election, the first since the dramatic ouster of long-time leader Sheikh Hasina in 2024, false rumors of an internet shutdown spread rapidly across social media platforms, creating unnecessary public anxiety.
Multiple Facebook posts circulating days before the February 12 vote claimed that internet services would be suspended on election day and the day preceding it. These posts included an 18-second video clip of a news bulletin where a presenter mentions a partial internet shutdown lasting 20 hours.
“Internet services will be shut down on election day and the day before,” read one such post in Bengali shared on February 10, just two days before voters were set to cast their ballots.
The claims gained traction likely due to recent history. During the student-led uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year autocratic government in August 2024, authorities had indeed cut internet, mobile networks, and television broadcasts. Social media platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp were inaccessible during those tumultuous events, making the current rumors seem plausible to many Bangladeshis.
However, AFP journalists in Dhaka confirmed that internet services remained fully operational both on the day before the election and on the morning of the vote itself. No disruptions were reported as millions of voters headed to polling stations across the nation of approximately 170 million people.
Election Commission Secretariat Director Md Ruhul Amin Mollick categorically dismissed the rumors, telling AFP on February 11: “We have never said anything about an internet shutdown during the election.” He characterized the circulating claims as “absolutely false.”
A closer investigation revealed that the video clip being shared had been deceptively edited. A reverse image search using keyframes from the clip found the original source: a longer news segment broadcast by Independent Television on October 30, 2023 – more than two years before the current election.
The original one-minute 13-second report was titled “Internet connection will be down for submarine cable upgrade” and referred to scheduled maintenance on Bangladesh’s submarine internet cable between October 30 and November 1, 2023. Those sharing the clip in 2026 had deliberately removed portions mentioning these dates to create the false impression that the shutdown announcement was current.
Local news outlet The Daily Star had also covered the 2023 submarine cable maintenance at the time, further confirming the outdated nature of the video being circulated.
The spread of such misinformation reflects the heightened political tensions surrounding Bangladesh’s first post-Hasina election. The vote represents a critical moment for the South Asian nation as it attempts to establish democratic stability following the 2024 uprising that ended one of the region’s most entrenched political regimes.
Internet access has become increasingly important in Bangladesh’s electoral processes, both for voters seeking information about candidates and for civil society organizations monitoring election integrity. Rumors of shutdowns can therefore create significant public concern and potentially affect voter turnout.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation in Bangladesh’s evolving digital landscape, particularly during politically sensitive periods. It also underscores the importance of fact-checking and verification in maintaining the integrity of public discourse around democratic processes.
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10 Comments
It’s worrying to see these internet shutdown rumors spreading. Any actions to restrict digital connectivity would be a major setback for Bangladeshi democracy. I hope the authorities provide assurances that full internet access will be maintained on election day.
Reliable internet access is essential for modern elections. Bangladeshi voters need to be able to freely and safely engage with the electoral process online. I hope the authorities take all necessary steps to prevent any service disruptions.
Absolutely. An internet shutdown would undermine the credibility of the vote and deprive citizens of their democratic rights. Transparent, uninterrupted connectivity should be guaranteed.
Any attempt to restrict internet access during the election would be a major setback for Bangladeshi democracy. Voters need to be able to access information, communicate, and participate fully in the electoral process. I hope the authorities will provide assurances of uninterrupted connectivity.
Agreed. An internet shutdown could severely undermine the integrity of the election. Bangladeshi citizens deserve to exercise their democratic rights without disruption to digital infrastructure.
These internet shutdown rumors are concerning. A free and fair election requires unfettered access to information and communication channels. I hope the authorities in Bangladesh take proactive measures to ensure continuous connectivity on election day.
Concerning rumors of an internet shutdown ahead of Bangladesh’s election. Transparency and access to information are critical for a fair democratic process. I hope the authorities ensure reliable connectivity for voters on election day.
Yes, any internet disruptions could undermine the credibility of the vote. Bangladeshi citizens deserve to participate freely and access timely, accurate information.
The past internet shutdowns during the 2024 protests were concerning. Let’s hope the authorities have learned from that experience and will uphold the right to free and open access to communication networks during this crucial election.
Agreed, an internet shutdown would raise serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. Voters need to be able to access information and connect with each other without disruption.