As Bangladesh heads toward its 2026 national election, the country’s online information ecosystem has become increasingly fragile. Disinformation and hate-driven campaigns have created an unprecedented threat to electoral credibility, social cohesion, and the participation of women and marginalized communities.
To better understand this challenge ahead of the election, Digitally Right Limited, with support from The Asia Foundation under the Promoting Effective, Responsive and Inclusive Governance in Bangladesh (PERI) programme (funded by the FCDO, UK), conducted the research study “Tackling Election Disinformation in Bangladesh: Building Collective Responses for Electoral Integrity.”
Digitally Right previously convened a dialogue with key stakeholders to discuss the initial findings of this study with key stakeholders from the media, the fact-checking community, election observers, and civil society. The final report is now being published, incorporating the feedback and recommendations shared by participating stakeholders during the consultation process, offering a comprehensive assessment of the gaps, capacities, and priorities needed to build a credible, collective response to these digital threats.
Key takeaways
A “Digital Contest” fueling fragmentation: The online environment is dominated by political and religious actors using sophisticated tools, including AI and organized networks to manipulate public sentiment.
Disproportionate targeting of women and minorities: Fabricated videos, synthetic images, and doctored content are frequently used to target women candidates and minority communities, heightening the risk of harassment, intimidation, and voter suppression.
Severe resource deficit in information verification: In a nation of over 170 million people, there are only around 40 to 50 professional fact-checkers. Most mainstream media outlets lack dedicated verification desks, leaving journalists under-resourced against the tide of misinformation.
Institutional and regulatory gaps: The Election Commission currently lacks the policy framework and technical expertise to respond effectively. Furthermore, regulatory frameworks are often enacted without meaningful stakeholder consultation, risking arbitrary implementation rather than ensuring genuine accountability.
Lack of platform accountability: Social media companies rarely engage meaningfully with local stakeholders, and due to previous arbitrary uses of power, the country has lost significant leverage in negotiating for transparency and safety measures.
Read the full report here.
