Journalists have warned that combating artificial intelligence (AI)-driven disinformation and propaganda will be one of the biggest challenges for the Election Commission (EC) in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections.
They stressed that providing accurate and timely information to mainstream media will be crucial in countering misinformation and maintaining public trust.
The concerns were raised on Monday (October 6) during a dialogue between the EC and representatives of electronic media, held at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka.
Shafique Ahamed, Head of News at Ekattor TV, said the CEC and election commissioners should be accorded a status above that of ministers to ensure independence and authority.
He proposed appointing EC officials — not administrative cadre officers — as returning and assistant returning officers, and granting them magistracy powers.
He also urged the EC to prevent uncontested victories by organizing fresh polls in constituencies with only one candidate, and to limit parties to one nomination per seat to stop nomination trading.
Ahmed emphasized the need for media-friendly regulations and protection for journalists covering elections, saying, “Current guidelines don’t support us in exposing malpractice. We need laws that help, not hinder, the media.”
On misinformation, he said the media will play an active role in combating AI-based propaganda and conspiracy campaigns.
Jamuna TV’s Senior News Editor Towhidul Islam said that while the law should ensure media freedom, accountability within the administration and police must also be reinforced. “The EC must take responsibility for the conduct of law enforcement and administrative officers,” he said, adding that fear of political retribution after elections often deters officials from acting impartially.
He described the electoral environment as “a battlefield as much as a festival,” pointing to recent incidents of violence that highlight how difficult it will be to control the field. “Bureaucracy has lost public trust. That trust must be restored,” he said.
Independent TV’s Chief News Editor Mostafa Akmal cautioned that social media manipulation could severely damage candidates’ reputations. “A fake image or video can be created in minutes using AI. A fabricated scandal could destroy a candidate overnight,” he said.
He urged the EC to strengthen its digital monitoring mechanism, expedite vote counting, and ensure journalists receive accurate results directly from official sources to prevent confusion and rumor-mongering. “When we get timely data, we don’t have to depend on unverified field reports,” he said.
Global TV’s CNE Ferdous Mamun said trust in law enforcement had declined since August 5 and still has not been fully restored. He emphasized that mainstream media will not undermine the EC’s credibility but warned that “digital platforms are the real source of misinformation.”
“The longer vote counting takes, the more rumors spread,” he said, recommending time limits for presiding officers to complete counts.
Zahid Newaz Khan of Channel i said questions remain over Bangladesh’s ability to ensure voting rights for expatriates and the sincerity of officials at foreign missions. Implementing postal ballots, he said, could eventually help the country move beyond physical voting.
He stressed the need for equal opportunities for all voters and urged the Election Commission to monitor the use of religious institutions in politics, noting a growing trend of their involvement in election activities.
He also called for daily EC briefings as the polls approach, saying even limited updates can be valuable.
Warning of digital threats, he said misinformation, disinformation, and AI manipulation pose serious risks. “Someone could fabricate a video showing the CEC voting for a party symbol—and people might believe it. About 40 percent of people tend to believe misinformation,” he cautioned.
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