Working seriously to fight abuse of AI, social media during election: CEC
Nasir Uddin said that those who want to sabotage the national election will exert all their efforts, adding, “Therefore, we must remain fully prepared.”
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin today (28 September) said the Election Commission has been seriously working to fight the abuse of artificial intelligence (AI), misinformation and disinformation on social media during the upcoming national election slated for February next.
"We've been seriously working on this issue for a long time. InshAllah, we'll develop a central communication cell. We're fully aware of the consequences of abuse of social media and AI," he said, reports UNB.
The CEC made the remarks while delivering concluding speech at the EC's dialogue with civil society representatives at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon area.
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With the talks, the Election Commission opened a series of dialogues with different stakeholders ahead of the next general election planned to be held in early February 2026.
Nasir Uddin said that those who want to sabotage the national election will exert all their efforts, adding, "Therefore, we must remain fully prepared."
He said there has been a postal balloting system in the law. "It has been in the book, but not in practice," he said.
Although the rights of expatriates were recognised in the past, no effective mechanism existed for them to exercise their franchise, said the CEC.
"We are now working vigorously to introduce IT-supported postal ballots for expatriates. After extensive studies and research, the commission has developed the IT-supported postal ballot system," he said.
However, he warned that technology could fail and there is a risk of cyberattacks.
"Our technology might fail, and cybersecurity is at stake. We need to consider what would happen if hacking occurs. When even Bangladesh Bank's reserves are not fully secure, we must also consider how secure postal ballots can be."
Nasir Uddin added that the commission is working on arrangements for out-of-country voting as well as ensuring the franchise of those engaged in election duty on polling day.
"Almost a million people are involved in the electoral process. They cannot vote. Returning officers and presiding officers cannot vote. We will address it, InshAllah, and ensure the voting rights of all," he assured.
He said many good suggestions came out from this discussion. "We'll try to implement these, which are possible for us."
Noting that the Election Commission has brought back its authority to cancel the election of an entire constituency, (which was taken away in 2023), the CEC said, "If we see any problem, we'll cancel the election of the whole constituency immediately."
He said the commission will later arrange the polls at the constituency by deploying a huge number of security members.
Nasir Uddin, in his introductory speech, said the EC is making strong progress to ensure a free, fair and credible national election.
"We have already moved far ahead in making the necessary preparations for holding this election in a fair and proper manner. We are committed to delivering a free, fair and credible election. Our honourable chief adviser has also expressed the same," he said.
Focusing on the progress of electoral preparations, Nasir Uddin said since assuming office on November 24, 2024, the current Commission has completed a number of tasks keeping eye on the upcoming 13th parliamentary polls.
The commission has updated the voter list, amended the RPO (Representation of the People Order) and revised the electoral code of conduct. The EC worked on amendments on a total of nine laws. "Our procurement process has also advanced," he added.
Turning to the EC's dialogue, the CEC said, "We sincerely believe that today's discussion will play an important role in making the upcoming election fair, beautiful and acceptable."
He said arrangements will also be made for prisoners, government officials away from their constituencies during polling. These initiatives will become milestones for the Election Commission, he added.
Election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (retd) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah were present at the discussion moderated by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
Among the representatives of the civil society, former caretaker government adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury, former ambassador M Humayun Kabir, Dhaka University's Mass Communication and Journalism Professor Robaet Ferdous, Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University Dr Muhammad Yeahia Akhter, Osmani Centre for Peace and Security Studies Lt Gen (retd) Md Mahfuzur Rahman and Police Reform Commission member (Student representative) Zarif Rahman attended the dialogue.
