EC Evaluates Emerging Tech and Campaign Rules for Upcoming Election
The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has received a range of new proposals—spanning artificial intelligence (AI) misuse, social media monitoring, and helicopter-based campaigning—as part of feedback on the draft Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections.
According to EC sources, a total of 42 opinions were submitted in response to the draft, addressing issues such as the use and abuse of modern technology in electoral campaigning.
Among the political parties that have submitted feedback are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Bangladesh JSD), Islami Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Conservative Party, National Democratic Movement (NDM), Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF), and the Combined Democratic Party.
In addition to these, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and the Institute for Environment and Development (IED) have also provided detailed recommendations. The commission also received input from at least 29 individuals, including expatriates.
A large portion of TIB’s recommendations focus on the implications of digital technologies. TIB has advised the EC to broaden the definition of campaign posters to include promotional materials—digital or otherwise—such as display boards, electronic media content, advertisements, and billboards containing the candidate’s image or symbol, in addition to traditional paper materials like shirts, jackets, and vinyl banners.
TIB also called for an automated system to verify information on asset declarations, liabilities, and financial disclosures submitted in candidates’ affidavits.
In terms of online campaigning, TIB urged the inclusion of separate clauses in the code of conduct to address the use of AI and social media. The organization recommended the formation of a media monitoring cell comprising experts, mandated declarations on AI use, criminalization of misuse, and the establishment of accountability mechanisms for candidates and parties.
The BNP, on the other hand, proposed that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) be tasked with blocking content disseminated from abroad that misleads voters via social media. It also called for a separate provision in the code of conduct to curb AI misuse. Additionally, the BNP requested permission for the party chief, acting chief, and secretary general to use helicopters or other aerial vehicles for campaign purposes.
Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar stated, “Before finalizing the code of conduct, all the feedback will be compiled and presented during the selection phase. A decision on these proposals will then be made in a commission meeting.”
