Elections in the 21st century are no longer confined to ballot boxes, polling stations, or vote counting tables. Behind the scenes of this visible process, another war is going on in parallel, invisible but terrifying, silent but with far-reaching effects. This war is called cyber war. In today’s modern technology-based electoral system, cyber security is no longer a luxury; it is a fundamental condition for sustaining democracy.
Advances in digital technology have brought speed, efficiency, and transparency to the electoral system. Technology is increasingly being used in everything from updating voter lists, storing candidate information, and transmitting and publishing results. While this is reducing time and costs, it is also creating new types of risks. Information is now the most powerful weapon, and if that information is not secure, the entire electoral process becomes questionable.
Global experience warns us. Even developed countries are not immune to the risk of cyber attacks. Incidents such as voter database hacks, interference in the results system, disabling the Election Commission website, or deliberately spreading false information on social media to mislead voters have shaken trust in the electoral process in various countries. In many cases, cyber misinformation and disinformation also play a major role in post-election unrest, violence, and political division.
Bangladesh is no exception. Rather, the level of cyber risk is also increasing due to the rapid expansion of technology-based services. Voter information is among the most sensitive data of a country. If this information is leaked or corrupted, not only personal privacy is compromised, but also national security is threatened. Similarly, election-related rumors and false information can spread confusion in the public mind in a very short time, the impact of which becomes difficult to manage.
In this context, the directive of Principal Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus to strengthen national cyber security is very timely and important. The directive he has given to ensure all types of cyber security in view of the upcoming parliamentary elections and possible referendum is not just an administrative order but a strategic declaration to protect democracy. At the meeting of the National Cyber Security Council held at the State Guest House Jamuna, he clearly stated that the government is taking citizen services to online platforms, so to keep these services safe, cyber security must be strengthened.
One thing that is particularly noteworthy here is that the Chief Advisor has emphasized the cybersecurity of not only elections but also the overall citizen service. Because elections are not an isolated process; they are deeply connected to the rest of the state’s digital infrastructure. National identity cards, birth registration, banking systems, telecommunications are all indirectly linked to elections. If these sectors are weak, the electoral system also becomes weak.
Already, 35 organizations have been listed as Critical Information Infrastructure, which is a positive step. However, the reality is that this list needs to be further expanded and regularly updated. The responsibility does not end with just listing; the main challenge is to regularly audit the cybersecurity systems of these organizations, update software and hardware, and develop skilled human resources.
Another important aspect of the Chief Advisor’s directive is to bring organizations and related personnel under a rating system. If implemented, this will increase transparency and accountability in the field of cybersecurity. It will be easier to determine how prepared an organization is and where there are deficiencies. At the same time, it can also create positive competition among organizations.
The strong message of ‘no one should get away with cybercrime’ in the financial sector is also very significant. Cybercrime in the economic sector not only causes financial losses, but also damages people’s trust in the state. If instability arises in the financial system during the election period, its political impact can be devastating. Therefore, the coordinated role of the National Cyber Security Agency, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies is essential here.
However, state directives and technological measures alone are not enough. Election cybersecurity is a multidimensional challenge. It involves the digital awareness of voters. It is the need of the hour to create the awareness that not everything we see and read on social media is true. Without the ability to identify and verify fake news, the common man is easily misled.
The role of the media in this regard is very important. The media must take an active stand in promoting responsible journalism, a culture of fact-checking, and preventing rumors. At the same time, there is no room for political parties and candidates to avoid their moral responsibilities. If someone uses false information or digital propaganda as a tool for short-term political gains, then the entire democratic system will ultimately suffer.
The Election Commission has the most responsibility here. Modern elections cannot be imagined without building a strong cyber infrastructure, regular security audits, data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and emergency response plans. This roadmap must be ready in advance of how, how quickly, and who will respond to a cyber attack.
Finally, the main strength of democracy is the trust of the people. Elections are meaningful only if people believe that their votes are safe, their information is secure, and the election results are unadulterated. When that trust is lost, elections become a mere formality that has no democratic value.
Ensuring election cyber security is not just about protecting servers, software, or firewalls; it is about protecting citizens’ voting rights, freedom of expression, and the democratic foundation of the state. We can no longer afford to neglect this invisible war. It is time to implement it with utmost importance. Now, or it may be too late.
