Bangladeshs social media platforms become key battleground in upcoming elections

Bangladesh’s Election Campaigns Shift Online

Campaigning for the upcoming election in Bangladesh is set to begin on January 22, but online battles have been raging for months. The country’s two main parties, the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and a Jamaat-e-Islami party alliance, are competing for the support of tens of millions of voters.

A recent song by HAL Banna, a London-based filmmaker, has become a viral sensation on social media platforms popular in Bangladesh. The song’s lyrics appear to be about rural life but are actually a political anthem supporting the Jamaat-e-Islami party. The song’s symbols - scales - are meant to replace those of other parties, including the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

The BNP has responded with its own campaign song, which emphasizes putting the country before itself. The National Citizen Party, formed by students who led anti-Hasina protests in 2024, has also released a viral song.

Beyond music, both parties have been using social media to reach voters. Short videos, emotional interviews, policy explanations, and satire have flooded platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. The online war is expected to be intense, with millions of users aged 18-37 set to vote on February 12.

According to recent data, Bangladesh has a large internet user base, with approximately 130 million users accounting for 74% of the population. Social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok have significant followings in the country, with around 64 million Facebook users, nearly 50 million YouTube users, and over 56 million TikTok users.

The digital reach of these platforms has made online narratives a crucial aspect of election campaigns. The Election Commission data shows that 43.56% of voters are aged between 18-37, many of whom are first-time voters or young Bangladeshis who feel disenfranchised under the current government.

Source: Al Jazeera