As the February 12 elections approach, election-related misinformation is increasingly shifting in both form and content. An analysis by Dismislab indicates a rise in complexity and quantity of disinformation, particularly surrounding campaign activities, electoral alliances, and seat-sharing arrangements. Between December 16, 2025, and January 15, 2026, the identification of 89 unique misinformation items saw a more than 41 percent increase from the previous month, alongside a sharp rise in fact-checks from 10 to 31 within the same period.
Key misinformation narratives included false claims about election cancellations, particularly attributed to government figures like Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and misleading statements surrounding electoral alliances, notably involving the Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP-led coalitions. Specific disinformation targeted claims about candidate nominations and prospective candidates, including erroneous assertions regarding appointments and election affidavits.
Additionally, there’s been a notable use of AI tools generating misleading campaign materials, including manipulated videos of political figures. The article also highlights the prevalence of fake attributions and dubious survey results claiming support levels for various candidates.
The analysis is based on fact-check reports from various organizations and emphasizes an urgent need to address the growing volume of misleading information as the election date nears.
