Digital Campaigns Dominate as Poster Ban Reshapes Electioneering
The 13th National Parliamentary Election is scheduled to be held on February 12, alongside a nationwide referendum on the same day. Against this backdrop, election campaigning officially began on Thursday, January 22. However, this time, the use of posters has been completely banned in election campaigns, with authorities emphasizing the use of environmentally friendly materials instead.
As a result, candidates and campaigners are placing increased importance on digital platforms, particularly social media, as key tools for electioneering. By the end of 2025, more than 72.5 million people in Bangladesh are expected to have internet access, while by the end of 2024, nearly 52 percent of households were already connected to the internet. According to data previously shared by NapoleonCat, Bangladesh had around 70 million Facebook users and more than 1.72 million Instagram users.
By the end of the year, figures from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) showed that the total number of internet subscribers in the country had reached approximately 129.9 million. Meanwhile, data from website Hashmeta suggests that Facebook users in Bangladesh may exceed 45 million, TikTok users range between 15 million and 18 million, and YouTube users may number around 35 million. To better understand and analyze these vast digital audiences, two local technology firms—Socian AI and Loosely Coupled—have already begun conducting constituency-based sentiment analysis on social media platforms ahead of the elections.
Regardless of the sentiments expressed by voters online, candidates must adhere to specific rules to engage voters through digital platforms. In this regard, the Election Commission has issued clear guidelines governing the use of social media for election campaigning.
According to the guidelines, candidates, their election agents, or representatives are permitted to campaign on social media. However, prior to commencing digital campaigning, candidates must submit identification details to the Returning Officer, including the names of candidates, parties or associated pages, account IDs, email addresses, and other relevant identification information. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) for dishonest or malicious purposes is strictly prohibited. Hate speech, false or distorted information, and content targeting opponents, women, minorities, or any community using aggressive or provocative language are not allowed. The misuse of religious or ethnic sentiments is also banned. All campaign content must be verified for accuracy before publication, and the creation or sharing of false, misleading, obscene, or defamatory content is strictly forbidden.
Under the new rules, candidates are not allowed to use images or symbols of any individual other than themselves and their official election symbol. Candidate photographs must be in portrait format only. However, nominees of registered political parties are permitted to use images of their party chief. Candidates may use a maximum of 20 billboards, each not exceeding 16 feet in length and 9 feet in width.
To curb the spread of rumors and the misuse of artificial intelligence, new provisions have been added to the election code of conduct, classifying such acts as electoral offenses punishable by law. According to the rules, any candidate or party found violating the regulations may face up to six months of imprisonment, a fine of up to BDT 150,000, or both. Political parties may also be fined up to BDT 100,000. Furthermore, if violations are proven through investigation, the Election Commission holds the authority to cancel a candidate’s nomination.
Meanwhile, in preparation for the parliamentary election and the referendum, the government has assigned the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) to ensure comprehensive cybersecurity measures. In line with this directive, the ICT Division has launched four email addresses and a hotline number to receive complaints from citizens regarding rumors, misinformation, and disinformation circulating on digital platforms. Complaints can be sent to [email protected], while the hotline number is 01308332592.
DBTech/IK/MU/OR
