Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has announced plans to set up a centrally coordinated unit dedicated to countering artificial intelligence (AI)-generated misinformation and disinformation in the run-up to the 13th national parliamentary election.
Speaking as chief guest at a high-level workshop titled “Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Upcoming National Parliament Election to Counter Misinformation and Disinformation” at the Election Training Institute (ETI) in Agargaon, the CEC emphasised the urgent need for practical, actionable strategies rather than theoretical guidelines.
“The misuse of AI has now become a global headache,” said Nasir Uddin. “Like any tool, it can be used for good or ill—a doctor may use it to save lives, while a criminal may use it to commit crimes.”
The workshop, jointly organised by the Election Commission’s IDEA and CBTEP projects, brought together officials from key institutions including the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka University, the ICT Division, CID, BTRC, IFES, BASIS, and private universities, among others.
Highlighting the necessity of a round-the-clock monitoring mechanism, the CEC stressed that the proposed central unit must be capable of swiftly identifying, verifying, and countering false narratives—even those emerging late at night or from remote parts of the country.
“This is a 24-hour task,” he said. “We need clear answers: who will work, how many personnel are required, how fact-checking will operate in real time, and how verified information will be disseminated rapidly to counter falsehoods at their source.”
Nasir Uddin called for precise, coordinated recommendations on staffing, inter-agency collaboration, and logistical frameworks to ensure the system functions effectively within Bangladesh’s existing infrastructure.
All four Election Commissioners – Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, and Brig Gen (retd) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah – attended the event, along with EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, who chaired the session.
Ahmed noted that a recent global survey indicated 92 per cent of elections worldwide now face credibility challenges due to AI-related risks. “To ensure participatory and credible elections, everyone’s cooperation is essential in preventing AI misuse,” he said, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to free and fair polls.
The CEC expressed optimism that the workshop’s outcomes would directly inform the development of a robust, integrated system to safeguard electoral integrity in the digital age.
Source: BSS, UNB