Disinformation tops EC’s list of election challenges

Staff Reporter :

Disinformation and misinformation pose the most serious challenge ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed said on Wednesday, underscoring concerns about the impact of misleading digital content on the electoral environment.

Akhtar Ahmed made the remarks while briefing journalists after a meeting with a delegation of the European Union (EU) at the Election Building in Agargaon. The meeting focused on the commission’s preparedness for the February 12 polls and the measures being taken to ensure a credible voting process.

“The EU delegation wanted to know what our major challenge is at this moment,” Akhtar Ahmed said. “We reiterated what we have been saying from the beginning—that disinformation or misinformation is the biggest challenge in the election.” He added that the commission is working to bring the situation to what he described as a “respectable level.”

As part of those efforts, the EC has already engaged with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, seeking cooperation to address harmful online content. Rather than resorting to measures such as reducing internet speed, the commission has requested the removal of “satirical, aggressive and disinformation-driven content” related to the election, he said.

Security arrangements were another key issue raised during the meeting. According to the EC Secretary, the EU delegation sought details of the law enforcement deployment plan for the election period. He said the commission informed them that the army will be deployed for seven days and Ansar members for eight days surrounding the polls. Police and the army, he noted, are already carrying out their routine duties but will operate under a special deployment plan during the election.

The commission has also planned extensive administrative oversight. A total of 1,050 executive magistrates will be deployed from February 8 to February 14 to conduct mobile courts. Judicial magistrates are also expected to be deployed during the same period, although final details of their assignments are yet to be confirmed. In addition, Electoral Inquiry and Adjudication Committees are already active across the country to address complaints and violations.

Akhtar Ahmed said political parties have been advised to submit any complaints to these local inquiry and adjudication committees. He reiterated that all forms of electioneering will be suspended from 7:30 a.m. on February 10, 48 hours before voting begins, in line with electoral rules.

On logistical preparations, the EC Secretary said ballot papers have already been dispatched to 116 parliamentary constituencies. The remaining constituencies are expected to receive their ballots by February 7. He acknowledged delays in distribution, explaining that ballots in several areas had to be reprinted or modified due to last-minute court orders and the reinstatement of some candidates.

“It is natural to ask why there was such a delay,” he said. “In several places we had to reprint ballots. For this reason, we needed time to ensure all ballots are delivered properly.”

Postal voting preparations are also underway. Of the 379,924 postal ballots issued nationwide, 107,168 have already reached returning officers. Postal ballots will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on polling day, February 12. The EC has registered 6,091 jail inmates for postal voting, with voting in prisons having begun on February 3 and set to continue until February 7.

The EC Secretary also confirmed that members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) will assist with election-related duties during the polls.

Summing up the engagement with EU observers, Akhtar Ahmed said the delegation was “mainly curious about the preparations and the progress of the February 12 election,” including security planning and ballot distribution.

He said the commission shared all relevant information on the steps already taken, as well as those scheduled to be completed in the days leading up to polling day.