Disinformation is major challenge in election: EC Secy

Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed today said disinformation and misinformation are the biggest challenges ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. He made the remarks while talking to journalists after a meeting with a delegation of the European Union (EU) at the Election Building in Agargaon here this afternoon.

Briefing the media on the meeting, Akhtar Ahmed said the EU delegation chief sought updates on the election preparations and asked whether the EC is facing any challenge. “They wanted to know what our major challenge is at this moment. We reiterated what we have been saying from the beginning—that disinformation or misinformation is the biggest challenge in the election,” he said, adding that the commission is making efforts to bring the situation to a respectable level. The EC Secretary said the commission has discussed the issue with Meta and sought its cooperation. 

“Instead of reducing internet speed or adopting other measures, we have requested them to remove satirical, aggressive and disinformation-driven content,” he added. Regarding security arrangements, he said the EU delegation also inquired about the deployment plan. “We informed them that the army will be deployed for seven days and Ansar members for eight days during the election. Police and the army are already performing their routine duties, but they will operate under a special deployment plan for the election,” he said.

Referring to complaints from political parties, Akhtar Ahmed said they have been advised to submit complaints to the local Electoral Inquiry and Adjudication Committees. He also said all forms of electioneering will remain suspended from 7:30 am on February 10, 48 hours ahead of the polling day. The EC Secretary further confirmed that Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) members will assist in election-related duties during the polls.