Concerns Over AI Misuse in Bangladesh's Recent Parliamentary Elections
AI Misuse and Electoral Manipulation
New Delhi, March 2: A recent report has highlighted significant issues surrounding the 13th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh, which took place on February 12. The findings indicate that generative AI was extensively misused to manipulate narratives and obstruct voters via social media, ultimately influencing the election results.
The report, published by a non-profit organization called Activate Rights and cited by The Daily Star, revealed that generative AI was employed to create explicit images targeting female candidates and to fabricate messages from minority groups urging votes for specific parties to mitigate perceived threats.
According to the report, AI-generated personas claimed they were in danger, suggesting that failure to support the Jamaat party could result in being sent to India.
The analysis covered data from December 11, 2025, to February 16, 2026, and concluded that coordinated narrative manipulation was a systemic aspect of the election process on February 12.
It was noted that women candidates faced a disproportionate amount of online harassment, despite making up only four percent of the total candidates.
Additionally, extremist Islamist accounts on social media attempted to undermine democratic engagement by asserting that democracy is fundamentally at odds with Islam and is thus forbidden.
The report also pointed out that the exclusion of the Awami League from the election, due to a ban on its political activities, led to a concerted social media boycott, which manifested as explicit efforts to prevent voters from accessing polling stations.
Another troubling trend observed was the selective editing of video clips featuring political figures, which resulted in accusations of blasphemy or anti-Islamic sentiments against them on social media.
In a related note, experts warn that without significant reforms in tariffs and trade facilitation, Bangladesh risks falling behind its peers and competing economies within the next five years.
The impending graduation of Bangladesh from the UN's Least Developed Country (LDC) status has intensified the need for effective trade facilitation, as the nation aims to maintain preferential market access through agreements with key partners.