Cyber-Attacks Raise Concerns Over Election Integrity

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged that cyber-attacks are being used to undermine the credibility of the upcoming national election. Party leaders claim the Amir’s social media account was hacked through an email linked to Bangabhaban, the presidential office, and that false information was spread to discredit the party. They argue the attack was motivated by Jamaat’s growing support among women voters.

At a press conference held at the party’s central office in Moghbazar on Monday, February 2, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General and Head of the Propaganda and Media Division, said the hack was carried out using an email linked to Bangabhaban. He described the incident as “planned and conspiratorial,” adding that it was intended to question Jamaat’s stance and intimidate its female supporters.

Zubair alleged that women activists have been subjected to cyberbullying, physical assaults, and threats, including demands to remove their hijab. He claimed that despite adhering to electoral codes of conduct, Jamaat’s female supporters have faced repeated harassment. “The hacking of our Amir’s Twitter account from a location as secure as Bangabhaban raises serious concerns about national security,” he said, urging the government and Election Commission to take responsibility.

He further accused rival political groups of inciting violence in 33 districts over the past 17 days, targeting Jamaat’s female campaigners with threats, abusive remarks, and even physical attacks. Zubair expressed outrage that individuals allegedly involved in a recent daylight killing had secured bail within a week, saying such leniency undermines the rule of law and heightens public fear.

“There is no justification for granting anticipatory bail in such a brutal case, especially when the accused are openly moving about,” he said. “This is a blow to the rule of law. We are taking legal steps and will appeal to the higher court to suspend the bail.”

Zubair also highlighted the grief of the victim’s family and the anxiety among local residents, accusing authorities of showing “undue compassion” to perpetrators instead of upholding justice.

The press conference was attended by Oliullah Noman, member of Jamaat’s National Election Steering Committee, and Abdus Sattar Sumon, Assistant Propaganda Secretary of Dhaka South Jamaat.
DBTech/DPN/MUIM