AI disinformation turns Nepal polls into ‘digital battleground’ – The Standard (HK)

As Nepal approaches its critical general election, concerns are mounting over the spread of artificial intelligence-generated disinformation that threatens to undermine the democratic process in the Himalayan nation of 30 million people.

Experts and election officials warn that Nepal has become a “digital battleground” where deepfakes, manipulated videos, and AI-generated content are proliferating at an alarming rate. These sophisticated techniques are being deployed to spread false information about candidates and political parties ahead of the November polls.

“We’ve never seen this level of digital manipulation in previous elections,” said Rajendra Sharma, an election monitoring official. “The technology has advanced so quickly that many voters cannot distinguish between real and fake content anymore.”

The Nepal Election Commission has documented dozens of instances where AI tools were used to create convincing but entirely fabricated images and videos of political figures making controversial statements they never actually made. In one particularly troubling case, a deepfake video showed a prominent candidate appearing to promise policies that contradicted their actual platform, generating confusion among potential voters.

Nepal’s political landscape, already characterized by fragmentation and coalition governments, is particularly vulnerable to such manipulation. The country has experienced significant political instability since transitioning from a monarchy to a republic in 2008, with frequent changes in government and shifting alliances.

Digital literacy remains relatively low across much of Nepal, especially in rural areas where approximately 80 percent of the population resides. This digital divide creates fertile ground for misinformation to spread unchecked, often through messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, which serve as primary news sources for many Nepalis.

“The combination of low digital literacy, high social media usage, and sophisticated AI tools creates a perfect storm for election interference,” explained Dr. Maya Sharma, a digital rights advocate based in Kathmandu. “Many people simply forward what they receive without verification.”

The problem is compounded by Nepal’s challenging geography. With communities scattered across remote mountainous regions, traditional media struggles to reach all citizens, making social media an essential information source in areas where fact-checking resources are scarce.

Regional experts note that Nepal’s experience mirrors a troubling pattern emerging across South Asia. Neighboring India faced similar challenges during its last general election, while Bangladesh and Pakistan have also grappled with AI-generated disinformation in their political processes.

The Nepal Election Commission has launched an emergency task force to combat digital disinformation, partnering with major tech companies to flag and remove the most egregious examples of fake content. However, officials acknowledge they face an uphill battle.

“For every piece of fake content we identify and remove, several more appear,” said Commission spokesperson Binod Prakash Singh. “We’re asking citizens to be vigilant and critical of what they see online, especially if it seems designed to provoke strong emotions.”

Civil society organizations have mobilized to establish fact-checking networks and digital literacy programs in response to the crisis. The Digital Rights Nepal Coalition has deployed teams across the country to conduct rapid-response verification of viral content and distribute accurate information through trusted community channels.

International observers are watching Nepal’s situation closely, viewing it as a test case for how emerging democracies might contend with AI disinformation threats. The European Union Election Observation Mission has deployed additional digital specialists to monitor the situation.

“What’s happening in Nepal today could happen anywhere tomorrow,” warned Johannes Weber, head of the EU mission. “The technologies being weaponized here are universally available and increasingly sophisticated.”

As election day approaches, the battle against AI disinformation has become as important as the political campaign itself. The outcome will not only determine Nepal’s next government but potentially serve as a case study in how democracies can protect electoral integrity in an age where reality itself can be manipulated.