Election Commission has told a European Union delegation that it will prioritise the removal of misleading, hateful and aggressive online content rather than slowing internet speed during the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Akhtar said the EU delegation met the Chief Election Commissioner and sought details about the commission’s concerns, challenges and preparedness ahead of the 12 February polls.
He said the commission informed the delegation that misinformation and disinformation pose the biggest challenge to holding the election in a credible manner.
Akhtar said the commission also briefed the EU delegation on its preparations, noting that ballot papers for 116 constituencies have already been sent to the respective returning officers. All ballot papers are expected to be delivered by 7 February.
He said delays occurred in some constituencies due to last-minute reprinting of ballots after courts restored candidacies in those seats.
On online misinformation, Akhtar said the EU representatives asked whether the commission had discussed the issue with Meta, the parent company of Facebook. He said the commission informed them that discussions are ongoing and it expects cooperation from Meta.
“Instead of slowing internet speed, the Election Commission is prioritising the removal of misleading, hateful and aggressive content,” he said.
On law and order, Akhtar said the delegation wanted to know about the security deployment plan. He said the commission informed them that the army will remain deployed for seven days, Ansar members for eight days, while police are already on the ground. The army has begun deployment and will carry out election-specific duties.
Regarding postal ballots, Akhtar said a total of 3.79 lakh ballots from abroad have so far reached Bangladesh. Of these, more than 1.07 lakh ballots have been submitted to returning officers’ offices, while 27,367 ballots have reached returning officers within the country.
On voting by prisoners, he said 6,091 inmates have registered as voters. Voting for them has begun and will continue until 7 February.
Akhtar also said around 1,050 executive magistrates have been deployed. They will remain in the field from 8 to 14 February to conduct mobile courts. Judicial magistrates will be deployed during the same period. Election campaigning will end at 7.30 am on 10 February.
Asked about the deployment of BNCC members at polling centres, the EC secretary said they will perform duties but did not elaborate further.
On reports of postal ballots being stuck in the Middle East, Akhtar said he has no specific information. However, he said some ballots faced delays in the United States due to snowstorms.
