Digitally Right Limited (DRL) recently held the final part of a three-part training series for European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) observation partners on December 29–30, 2025. This session concluded a comprehensive initiative that followed the successful completion of the first two training batches conducted on November 23–24 and 26–27, 2025. Organized under the AHEAD Bangladesh initiative, which is funded by the European Union and led by EPD, these sessions were specifically designed to provide “Digital Safety & Information Integrity” training for election observers.
The evolving digital information landscape has fundamentally transformed the role of election observers, requiring them to address not only on-site developments but also online risks and disinformation. Facing significant threats ranging from physical intimidation and digital surveillance to the widespread weaponization of disinformation, observers now need to be prepared beyond basic tools. In response to these challenges, Digitally Right curated a specialized curriculum designed to instill a robust “verification mindset” and a culture of “safety first”.
The final training session, held at the SETU Inn Dhaka, hosted nine participants based in Dhaka and Khulna. The group included six male and three female participants, a strategic diversity intended to address the specific needs of women who frequently face gender-based online harassment alongside common professional threats.
The comprehensive two-day curriculum followed a structured path from personal security to public verification. On the first day, participants established a baseline for digital hygiene and mastered technical essentials such as utilizing VPNs for secure communication and using password managers. The training also covered maintaining offline security and utilizing encryption to protect digital assets from potential seizure.
On the second day, the training addressed the challenges of disinformation through practical simulations. Observers were trained to use tools like Google Reverse Image Search and the InVID verification plugin, which empowered them to distinguish credible content from malicious disinformation. The participants also participated in an intensive simulation of fact-checking.
This successful conclusion of the training series marks a vital step in strengthening the digital resilience of those monitoring the integrity of elections.
