From Posters to Pixels: How Social Media Is Transforming the Ballot

Bangladesh’s election campaign has undergone a dramatic shift—from walls layered with posters and streets blaring with loudspeakers to smartphones, screens and algorithm-driven platforms. Political parties are now increasingly turning to social media and AI-generated content to reach voters, a transition that has broadened political participation while also amplifying the risks of misinformation, harassment and social unrest.

On Wednesday, a video showing several men holding Tk500 and Tk1,000 notes while surrounding an elderly bearded man wearing a cap went viral online. The caption alleged that he was a Jamaat-e-Islami leader in Bhuapur, Tangail, caught distributing cash to voters before trying to flee. Several television channels published the footage on their online portals, triggering widespread outrage.

Within hours, the fact-checking platform Dissent debunked the claim, clarifying that the man was not distributing money. Instead, those holding the banknotes were BNP activists teasing him during a Jamaat campaign event.

The following day, another viral post falsely claimed that a Jubo Dal leader had been killed in a BNP–Jamaat clash in Sherpur. The alleged victim later appeared live on Facebook, confirming that he was unharmed.

In another recent incident, an image circulated online purporting to be a “voter honourarium receipt” allegedly issued by a BNP-nominated candidate for Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda). The image displayed a woman’s bKash agent number and voter ID card alongside the candidate’s photograph and the paddy sheaf election symbol. Multiple Facebook posts accused the candidate of paying voters through printed receipts.

Fact-checkers at Dissent later determined the receipt to be fabricated. While the NID number belonged to a woman from Sitakunda, it was partially obscured and appeared to contain 14 or 15 digits—an inconsistency with Bangladesh’s official NID format. The posts, Dissent concluded, misrepresented the image and falsely implicated the candidate in voter bribery.

In a separate case, the X (formerly Twitter) account “Voice of BD Hindus” circulated a short video featuring a Supreme Court lawyer alongside online activists and writer Shahriar Kabir, claiming it showed a call for attacks on Hindus. Dissent later said the clip had been distorted and taken out of context from a programme titled “Academic Dialogue on Election Engineering and Democratic Reform in Bangladesh”, organised by the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union on January 10.

Together, these incidents highlight how digital campaigning—while powerful—can spread confusion as rapidly as it disseminates political messages.

Digital campaigns replace street politics

AI-generated videos, photo cards, campaign songs and short films have become central tools of electioneering, as parties and candidates invest unprecedented resources in online campaigning—a shift experts say is simultaneously democratising politics and increasing the risk of misinformation-driven violence.

With strict restrictions on posters and loudspeakers, online platforms—particularly Facebook—have emerged as the primary battleground for voter attention.

Parties including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Islami Andolan Bangladesh now operate extensive digital ecosystems through official pages, leaders’ profiles and affiliated party wings.

These platforms distribute campaign videos, AI-generated visuals, election promises, theme songs and live broadcasts, while also shaping political narratives—and, at times, launching attacks on rivals.

Mezbah-ul-Azam Sowdagar, associate professor of political science at Jagannath University, said the decline of poster-based campaigning marked a major cultural shift.

“Poster campaigns have long been an integral part of Bangladesh’s political culture,” he said. “Their decline has reduced, to some extent, the sense of excitement and participation among older voters, while having little impact on younger generations.”

He cautioned that growing reliance on social media has created serious challenges. “Fake news, misinformation and disinformation frequently fuel conflict during election periods and directly undermine the prospects of free and fair polls,” he said.

Facebook at the centre of the campaign

An analysis of Facebook activity shows that online political engagement has surged to unprecedented levels this election, with some posts and videos attracting millions of views within hours.

As of January 26, the BNP’s official Facebook page—created in June 2019—had amassed 4.8 million followers. The page of party chairman Tarique Rahman, launched in February 2009, had around 57 million followers.

These pages regularly share campaign videos, photo cards, press releases, live broadcasts of Tarique Rahman’s speeches and promotional material related to welfare initiatives, including family card programmes.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s official page, created in June 2014, had 31 million followers, while its ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s page, launched in April 2015, had 24 million followers.

Their digital output includes AI-enhanced videos and visuals promoting the “Yes” vote, the “Paharadar” city travel pass app, the “Amar Ayer Songshar” initiative and the “Remittance Heroer Bangladesh” platform.

The NCP’s Facebook page, created in February 2025, had 661,000 followers, while its convener Nahid Islam’s page—launched in 2024—has also gained significant traction.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh, whose official page dates back to 2011, now has 16 million followers and primarily shares press releases and campaign activities of its ameer.

Supporters of different parties have also become increasingly active online, producing and circulating videos on “voice voting” while promoting competing political narratives. In some cases, rival groups have clashed online over responsibility for the collapse of a “one-box voting platform” intended to appeal to religious voters.

‘A boon—but a dangerous one’

Experts warn that while AI-driven campaigning has reduced costs and widened access, it also carries serious risks.

“AI content has become a boon for candidates with limited financial resources,” said Tohidul Islam Raso, a research officer at DismissLab. “Campaigning with AI-generated material that promotes positive messages without attacking others is legal, and we are seeing a flood of such content.”

However, Mohammed Raihan of Dissent said the scale of AI-generated disinformation was deeply concerning.

“We are receiving massive volumes of AI-generated disinformation targeting the upcoming elections,” he said. “Many people consume these contents uncritically, while others are confused about their authenticity. Because most lack verification skills, this can easily lead to social unrest.”

He added that some manipulated content depicts implausible scenes, including police officers in uniform appearing to seek votes or make political statements. “This trend is likely to intensify as election day approaches,” he warned.

Rising risks of harassment and violence

Political scientists have echoed these concerns. Speaking to Daily Sun, Dr Sabbir Ahmed, professor of political science at the University of Dhaka, said the digital turn has produced mixed outcomes.

“There are positive changes, such as reduced sound and visual pollution due to online campaigning,” he said. “But the risks are significant because derogatory remarks by politicians spread extremely fast on social media.”

He cited recent incidents involving the harassment of women, defamatory comments about the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), and online abuse that has contributed to violence in areas including Shariatpur.

“These incidents are fuelling violence,” he said. “Political parties must take a proactive role in preventing disinformation and defamatory campaigning, including the public humiliation of women during electioneering.”

Ahmed pointed to a recent case in Barguna where a Jamaat leader was punished for making defamatory remarks about DUCSU and urged stronger action from the BNP leadership.

“We expect more decisive action from the BNP and its chairman, Tarique Rahman,” he said. “They should take firm measures against party members involved in assaults on women or derogatory attacks on political rivals.”

He also criticised the interim government, saying it was “not doing enough” to curb the spread of disinformation and election-related violence.