Bangladesh Warns of Disinformation ‘Flood’ Ahead of Election

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has raised alarms about a growing wave of disinformation that could undermine the country’s upcoming elections, the first since a popular uprising toppled the previous government in 2024.

During a telephone conversation with UN human rights chief Volker Turk, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate expressed serious concerns about misinformation targeting the February 12 elections. “There has been a flood of misinformation surrounding the elections,” Yunus said, according to a statement released by his office. “It is coming from both foreign media and local sources.”

The interim leader specifically highlighted social media as a battleground for election integrity. “They have flooded social media with fake news, rumors and speculation,” he added. “We are concerned about the impact this may have on the elections.” In response, Turk reportedly offered the United Nations’ support to address these challenges.

This election represents a critical juncture in Bangladesh’s political journey following months of turmoil. The South Asian nation has been navigating an unprecedented political transition since August 2024, when a student-led movement successfully overthrew Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ending her 15-year rule that had become increasingly authoritarian in its later years.

European Union election observers have characterized the upcoming vote in Bangladesh as the “biggest democratic process of 2026,” underscoring its significance. With approximately 170 million people, Bangladesh stands as one of the world’s largest Muslim-majority democracies, making these elections particularly consequential for regional stability and democratic governance in South Asia.

Yunus, who returned from exile last year at the request of protestors to lead a caretaker government as “chief advisor,” has positioned himself as a transitional figure. He has consistently maintained that he will step down after the elections, reinforcing the temporary nature of his leadership role.

Since taking office, Yunus has been candid about the challenges facing Bangladesh’s democratic institutions. He described inheriting a “completely broken” political system and has advocated for a reform charter he believes is essential to prevent the country from sliding back into authoritarian governance.

The concerns about disinformation come at a particularly sensitive moment in Bangladesh’s democratic transition. After decades of oscillating between military rule and civilian governments dominated by two major political dynasties, the country now stands at a crossroads. The upcoming elections represent an opportunity to establish more inclusive and democratic governance structures, but also face the risk of being undermined by targeted misinformation campaigns.

Media literacy experts note that Bangladesh, like many developing economies, has experienced rapid digitalization without corresponding growth in digital literacy, making its population particularly vulnerable to online misinformation. With smartphone penetration increasing dramatically in recent years, social media platforms have become primary news sources for millions of Bangladeshis, creating fertile ground for the spread of unverified information.

The interim government’s appeal to the UN for assistance highlights both the severity of the perceived threat and the international dimensions of Bangladesh’s political transition. As the February election approaches, the ability of electoral authorities to counter disinformation while maintaining transparency and public trust will likely be a determining factor in whether Bangladesh can successfully navigate this critical democratic transition.

For a country that has experienced significant economic growth despite political instability, the stakes of this election extend beyond politics to questions of sustainable development, economic policy, and social cohesion in one of Asia’s most densely populated nations.