As Bangladesh approaches the high-stakes 13th national election 2026, experts are warning that artificial intelligence (AI)-driven disinformation is intersecting with weaknesses in the Election Commission’s (EC) cyber security, raising concerns over institutional resilience and public trust.
“In modern elections, technology is no longer a supporting element—it is the central infrastructure,” said Md Iftekharul Alam Efat, assistant professor at the Institute of Information Technology, Noakhali Science and Technology University. “Voter databases, result management systems, postal voting mechanisms, and online services are all mission-critical. Even a minor vulnerability can directly affect political stability and public confidence.”
Experts note that AI-generated misinformation cannot be addressed without robust institutional safeguards. “Detecting fake content alone does not solve the problem,” Efat added. “If state institutions lack transparency, auditability, and traceability, false information can quickly gain credibility. This is referred to in academic research as an institutional resilience gap.”
The EC has previously faced incidents involving unintended exposure of voter and journalist data through its digital platforms. Cyber analysts say such incidents reflect structural weaknesses rather than isolated technical errors. Election systems manage sensitive data, including national identity numbers, biometric-linked voter records, phone numbers, and addresses of millions of citizens.
“Once personal data is exposed online, it can rapidly circulate through dark-web marketplaces,” said a cyber risk analyst. “The real damage often emerges months or years later, through fraud, identity abuse, or targeted political manipulation.”
While postal voting for overseas and special-category voters has been praised as a step toward inclusivity, specialists warn that such systems expand the election’s digital attack surface. “There is limited public disclosure about whether these systems underwent independent penetration testing or third-party security audits,” said an election technology expert.
Cyber security expert Mohammad Shahadat Hossain stressed that technology alone is insufficient. “Implementing security technologies is not enough. The real question is whether those technologies are working effectively. The EC needs a comprehensive information security management system that continuously measures risk, performance, and response capability.”
AI-generated deepfakes, fake audio clips, and coordinated bot networks are increasingly used to distort political narratives. Cyber security researcher Arif Mainuddin noted that public perception is critical. “If election systems are perceived as opaque or insecure, even false claims of hacking or result manipulation become believable,” he said.
Experts say the final 24 to 48 hours before polling are most vulnerable, when misinformation spreads rapidly and institutional responses are closely scrutinized. Analysts emphasize that technological competence is now as crucial as political neutrality in safeguarding democratic processes.
Cyber security specialists consistently recommend multi-factor authentication, continuous system monitoring, mandatory staff training, independent audits, and 24/7 security operations centers. But they stress that public confidence depends on transparent implementation and communication.
“In today’s elections, democracy depends as much on code and databases as it does on ballots,” said a senior cyber analyst. “Without clear accountability and digital preparedness, electoral integrity itself is at risk.”
As election day approaches, experts say openly addressing the EC’s cyber security posture may be as important as countering AI-driven disinformation in preserving public trust.
