The Election Commission (EC) is preparing legal provisions to cancel candidacies and impose fines and prison sentences for spreading disinformation in election campaigns using artificial intelligence (AI). Political parties will also be held accountable if found complicit.
Artificial intelligence, now one of the most widely used technologies globally, is capable of replicating voices, manipulating images, and creating misleading videos that can present falsehoods as truth. With national elections approaching, concerns have mounted over potential misuse of AI to influence public opinion. Similar incidents have already occurred in developed countries, with their impact now felt in Bangladesh.
Observers warn that AI could be exploited to dominate the electoral field through propaganda and disinformation. From falsifying content to personal attacks, the technology can be used domestically or abroad to undermine opponents. Media outlets, too, could be deceived. Women leaders, in particular, fear cyberbullying, with many calling for effective preventive measures.
Both the EC and its international development partners have expressed alarm over the risks, stressing the need for equal opportunities and a fair electoral environment. Canada has pledged support to address these challenges, while the Commission has incorporated punitive measures into its legal framework.
Stakeholders fear women candidates will face the greatest threats. The “Women’s Political Rights Forum,” a coalition of 12 organisations, has submitted demands to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, urging steps to protect female politicians.
Mahin Sultana, a women’s leader and member of the Election System Reform Commission, presented a written appeal to the EC, highlighting the harassment, intimidation, and humiliation women politicians face both online and offline—factors that discourage their active political participation. The appeal called on political parties to adopt internal codes of conduct to protect female leaders and activists from intra- or inter-party harassment, with mandatory disciplinary measures for violators.
The group also urged the government and the EC to enact specific legislation, establish complaint mechanisms, and ensure swift remedies against digital harassment. It further proposed a dedicated protection and support service for candidates to lodge complaints and receive immediate assistance in cases of abuse or violence.
Disqualification, Jail, and Fines
Under the proposed framework, candidates, their agents, or others acting on their behalf who use AI with malicious intent in campaigns will face disqualification. In addition, they could be fined and imprisoned. Political parties found involved will also face financial penalties.
Amendments to the electoral code of conduct include 16 new provisions, requiring candidates, their agents, or parties to submit details of all social media accounts—including names, IDs, and email addresses—to returning officers before starting campaigns. While social media may be used for electioneering, AI cannot be used for malicious purposes such as spreading misinformation, creating fabricated content, or launching hate speech, defamatory attacks, or provocative language.
The regulations explicitly prohibit distorting faces, fabricating election-related information, or misusing religious or ethnic sentiments. All content must be fact-checked before publication. Attempts to mislead voters or damage the reputation of any candidate through false, misleading, biased, defamatory, obscene, or derogatory AI-generated content will be punishable.
The penalties include up to six months in prison, fines of up to Tk 150,000, or both for individuals. Political parties may also be fined up to Tk 150,000 for violations during the election period, from the announcement of the schedule until the publication of results. The Commission retains the authority to cancel a candidacy if deemed warranted by the offence.
What the Election Commissioners Say
Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah said the Commission will ensure effective measures to uphold respect for women and create an inclusive environment. “This is a global problem, not only Bangladesh’s. Provisions will be enforced against candidates, parties, organisations, and media entities that spread falsehoods or defamatory content using AI,” he added.
CEC Nasir Uddin noted that Canada has offered assistance to prevent AI misuse in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, while the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has also pledged support to fill any gaps. “AI misuse is a threat for us as well. We are working on this seriously,” he said, adding that Canada faced similar challenges in its last election and will share its experience.
The Election Commission plans to announce the election schedule in early December, targeting the first half of February for the polls. Preparations are now underway.
MN/SMS
