Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said that the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigns poses a big threat to the upcoming national elections.
The Election Commission has already sought Canada’s assistance to tackle AI-driven disinformation, citing the country’s recent experience in managing deepfake content and coordinated misinformation during its 2024 federal election, Nasir Uddin said on Friday.
He noted that AI-generated content, including deepfakes and manipulated images, could mislead voters and undermine public trust in the electoral process. The Commission is preparing a voter awareness campaign to help people identify misleading content and resist disinformation.
The CEC said special training programmes are being designed for polling officials, agents, and observers to enhance their ability to counter AI-facilitated digital manipulation during the election period.
Nasir Uddin also stated that the Election Commission would not allow foreign observers who had endorsed the past three national elections as fair despite widespread criticism. Only credible international observers with strong field experience will be invited.
The move comes as the Commission focuses on ensuring fair and transparent polls, especially after the January 2024 election drew allegations of vote rigging and widespread irregularities. AI-generated content targeting political leaders was reported during that election, raising concerns about its future impact.