As the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections approach, a surge of disinformation, AI-generated images, and deepfake videos is spreading political hatred on social media, raising concerns about the pre-election environment. Media analysts warn that the rapid spread of false content by propaganda bots could disrupt the electoral process if regulatory authorities do not take action.
Recent incidents include false claims about the death of Jubo Dal leader Saiful Islam and a deepfake video targeting BNP candidate Mirza Abbas. Experts, like Dhaka University professor SM Shameem Reza, highlight the lack of technological capacity for effective monitoring and response from organizations like the Election Commission and National Cyber Security Agency.
Though a designated cell is monitoring the issue, candidates express frustration over the ineffectiveness of current measures. Under electoral codes, creating or promoting false information is punishable, yet some candidates claim the commission has not taken adequate action.
Eyamin Sajid from AFP noted a shift in online disinformation since the election schedule announcement, with partisan users spreading fake news for political advantage. The National Cyber Security Agency has initiated email complaints and is planning a new portal for quicker processing due to the time-consuming nature of existing methods.
Experts stress the need for timely enforcement of electoral codes and recommend that candidates discourage misinformation among their supporters. They also call for journalists to verify information before publishing.
