Media professionals on Monday pressed for a transparent, inclusive, and credible national election, underscoring the need for freedom of the press, fair access to information and decisive measures against digital misinformation to restore public trust in Bangladesh鈥檚 electoral process.
Taking part in the Election Commission鈥檚 dialogue at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital Dhaka, journalists from both print and electronic media urged the commission to strengthen cyber surveillance and develop effective mechanisms to counter fake news, doctored images and social media propaganda.
They also stressed that mainstream media should work in close coordination with the EC to ensure the timely dissemination of accurate information and prevent confusion among voters in the forthcoming 13th national parliamentary elections slated for February 2026.
Kaler Kantho editor Hasan Hafiz, also the president of National Press Club, called on the EC to act with courage and integrity.
Referring to previous election commissions, Hafiz cautioned that those who had overseen past elections were now facing charges, warning that the same risk lay before the current commission.
He said it was a 鈥榙o-or-die鈥� situation and emphasised that the nation must not betray the sacrifices of the people and students who had led a massive uprising, which ousted the authoritarian Awami League regime on August 5 past year.
Hafiz urged the EC to strengthen cyber surveillance in light of the increasing spread of artificial intelligence-driven propaganda.
Jugantor editor Abdul Hye Sikder expressed optimism that the commission would succeed, saying that it bore a historic responsibility at a critical juncture in Bangladesh鈥檚 history following the July uprising.
Abdul Hye criticised the legacy of past commissions, describing them as corrupt and discredited institutions that had deprived citizens of their right to vote for years.
Prothom Alo executive editor Sajjad Sharif said that the forthcoming election was clouded by widespread discussions, doubts and fears.
He cautioned against the potential extensive use of money and muscle power, pointing to the weakness of law enforcement and administrative institutions.
Ajker Patrika editor Kamrul Hasan criticised the EC鈥檚 practice of uploading candidate affidavits after considerable delays, suggesting that such delays appeared deliberate and planned.
He proposed that affidavits be made public immediately after submissions to ensure voters and the wider public have full access to candidates鈥� information.
Ekattor TV chief news editor Shafique Ahmed suggested that EC officials, rather than administrative cadre officers, be appointed as returning and assistant returning officers.
He also called for re-election in constituencies with single candidates to prevent uncontested wins and urged for the adoption of a media-friendly policy that would allow journalists to report irregularities freely.
News 24 head of news Shariful Islam Khan said that the EC must operate within law to gain public trust, noting that the greatest challenge for the commission was securing people鈥檚 confidence.
Jamuna TV senior news editor Towhidul Islam urged the EC to guarantee unrestricted media access.
Independent TV chief news editor Mostafa Akmal said that misinformation on social media would be a major challenge, cautioning that scandals against candidates could damage their image.
He said that AI-generated fake images could be created within minutes, stressing that the EC must be prepared to counter such threats.
The Daily Star head of news Ziaul Haque demanded journalists鈥� unrestricted access to polling centres and called for their safety to be guaranteed.
Chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said that the election would be conducted transparently.
鈥楾he commission has no intention of restricting media entry. Observers requiring permission from presiding officers is a legal requirement under the Representation of the People Order, as the presiding officer is the highest authority on an election day,鈥� he said.
Regarding observer organisations, the CEC said that the list published in newspapers was not final but meant for verification.
Election commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said that misinformation, disinformation and AI misuse had become global problems and were a common concern.
He said that the EC had held meetings with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, police and intelligence agencies over the issue, but over 50 per cent of sources of such activities were outside the country.
Sanaullah said that the commission was adopting an open approach to information rather than restricting it, and that while social media was already under the code of conduct, tracing offenders remained difficult, making media cooperation crucial.
He also said that from November, the EC would launch nationwide awareness and counter-misinformation campaigns.
Daily Inqilab editor AMM Bahauddin, The Financial Express editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, UNB editor Mahfuzur Rahman and The Daily Khaborer Kagoj editor Mostofa Kamal, among others, attended the dialogue.
