Ahead of Bangladesh’s February 12 parliamentary election, political parties are intensifying their campaigns both on the ground and across social media platforms. Following the political transition of August 5, 2024, this is the first inclusive national election after years of limited participation under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Candidates are using Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to reach millions of young voters, who make up 44 percent of the electorate. Viral theme songs, short videos, and digital content have turned social media into the main arena of political competition.

Experts note that with 98.9 percent of households using mobile phones and over 13 crore internet users nationwide, digital campaigning offers a cost-effective way to engage voters, especially youth. Parties such as Jamaat, BNP, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) are producing songs and videos that have gained millions of views. Analysts and cyber experts warn, however, that misinformation and fake content are spreading rapidly, urging responsible online behavior.

Fact-checkers report that election-related content is now reaching personal feeds through reels and short videos, prompting candidates to allocate larger budgets for digital outreach.