With just 32 days remaining before the 13th National Parliament election, political activity has intensified nationwide. Although early public doubts eased after the election schedule was announced, concerns are growing over organized efforts to undermine the electoral process through misinformation and propaganda.
The government, the Election Commission (EC), and law enforcement agencies say they are prioritizing preparations to ensure a credible and acceptable election. Political parties, meanwhile, are campaigning in full force. Yet alongside this activity, officials report coordinated attempts to cast doubt on the fairness and legitimacy of the polls.
Responsible government sources say organized groups are systematically spreading misleading narratives at home and abroad using platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Some individuals are allegedly disseminating one-sided or unverified information through personal YouTube channels and online talk shows, creating confusion and anxiety among voters. Authorities believe these efforts are intended to disrupt and sabotage the election.
Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, said the government has strengthened monitoring of those spreading doubts about the election.
“The government clearly knows who is creating confusion, what their past roles were, and why they are doing it,” he said. “Surveillance has been intensified to identify propaganda and prevent misinformation.”
Officials say recent attempts to discredit the process include fake posters, distorted videos, and fabricated statements. Claims that there is no level playing field for all parties have circulated widely on social media, with some reports suggesting the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance may withdraw from the election.
Several political parties have accused the administration of favoring particular groups, raising public questions about electoral neutrality.
On Wednesday, a Jamaat-e-Islami delegation led by Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher met the Election Commission. After the meeting, Taher told reporters that district administrators and superintendents of police allegedly aligned with specific parties should be removed.
“If partisan DCs and SPs are not replaced with neutral officials, the election will be questionable,” he said.
Earlier in the week, a delegation from the National Citizen Party (NCP) met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. Party spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan said administrative bias had been observed in the scrutiny of nomination papers, fueling fears about the fairness of the February 12 vote.
Amid competing claims, BNP International Affairs Committee member Engineer Ishraq Hossain alleged a broader conspiracy to sabotage the election.
“There is no alternative to democracy, and elections are the only path forward,” he said, accusing a rejected group of attempting to destabilize the process through violence.
A senior EC official said monitoring has been intensified ahead of the polls and warned that legal action will be taken against those spreading false information. Voters have been urged to verify information before sharing it.
BNP National Standing Committee member Begum Selima Rahman dismissed allegations against her party, saying propaganda would not succeed.
“Those without public support are raising false accusations,” she said. “The people will identify anyone trying to sabotage the election.”
Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Advocate Moazzem Hossain Helal said he expected the election to be held on time but accused certain groups of attempting to derail it through misinformation. He also alleged uneven conditions, claiming nomination papers were canceled on weak grounds and party leaders faced intimidation.
As election day approaches, authorities say countering misinformation, ensuring administrative neutrality, and maintaining public confidence remain crucial to safeguarding the democratic process.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
