Army Warns of Social Media Misinformation as Key Threat Ahead of Elections

In an unprecedented security operation for Bangladesh’s national election, the Army has identified the proliferation of false information on social media as the most significant threat to the electoral process, according to a senior military official.

Speaking at a press conference in Gulistan on Thursday, Brigadier General Dewan Mohammad Monzur Hossain, director of the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters, warned about deliberate disinformation campaigns designed to undermine the electoral process.

“These campaigns aim to portray candidates or political parties negatively, discourage voter participation, question institutional neutrality, and exaggerate minor incidents to create public fear,” Brig Gen Dewan explained. He urged media organizations to publish “objective, factual and timely news” to help counter falsehoods, highlighting particular concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence in creating and spreading disinformation.

The military has deployed an unprecedented 100,000 troops for this election, more than double the 40,000-42,000 personnel mobilized in previous electoral cycles. This massive increase reflects an expanded security mandate, with soldiers now authorized to operate directly at polling center premises rather than being stationed at distant locations as a striking force.

“The difference this time is that the armed forces have been allowed to go up to the polling center premises, which was not the case in previous elections,” Brig Gen Dewan said. “The chief of Army Staff deployed the minimum number of troops needed to ensure voters can safely reach polling centers and vote, while assigning the rest to ensure a credible election.”

The military’s enhanced presence comes amid ongoing concerns about electoral violence in Bangladesh, which has a history of turbulent political transitions. The brigadier general acknowledged that some violent incidents had occurred even after the initial deployment of 35,000 troops, but claimed that violence decreased significantly following the full deployment of 100,000 personnel after January 20.

“We are a densely populated country. Even after deploying 100,000 troops, it is truly inadequate,” he admitted, while emphasizing that the military’s presence has reportedly boosted public confidence in the electoral process.

The Army has established 544 temporary camps across 62 districts, 411 Upazilas (sub-districts) and metropolitan areas. During the 14-day deployment period, military forces have reportedly recovered more than 150 weapons and arrested 22,320 identified criminals who were subsequently handed over to police.

When questioned about a report from Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) concerning violence and killings despite the Army’s presence, Brig Gen Dewan defended the military’s role, suggesting that the situation might have been worse without their intervention.

The extensive security operation reflects the high stakes in Bangladesh’s election, taking place in one of the world’s most densely populated nations with a complex political landscape. The deployment strategy was reportedly based on comprehensive threat assessments to identify areas requiring heightened security.

This election marks a significant shift in the military’s approach to electoral security in Bangladesh, with troops now tasked with ensuring voters can reach polling stations without fear of intimidation or violence – a persistent concern in previous electoral cycles that has dampened voter turnout and raised questions about democratic processes in the South Asian nation.

As election day approaches, authorities continue to monitor social media platforms for disinformation, with particular focus on artificially generated content that could mislead voters or incite unrest in a country where political tensions frequently run high during electoral periods.