Fair Digital Canvassing

These days, political campaigning and engagement with voters have shifted from the traditional style of door-to-door campaigns and rallies to digital platforms. Though we should adapt to the new technology, a flood of media content targeting the elections has added challenges to protect the integrity of the election. The use of digital media by the political parties in the 2026 parliamentary election showed that the political parties have made optimal use of digital and social media to woo voters. Digital platforms have increased people's access to information and political participation, but at the same time they have also created a serious threat of misinformation, violence and hate speech, which need immediate attention. Consumption of misleading information, biased opinions, and the algorithms that tip the scales in favour of certain parties and candidates is on rise.  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made it easier to produce misleading news and content. People cannot detect subtle manipulation and form an opinion based on the distorted media message. In the 2026 election, digital media played a significant role in helping people form their opinions. People hardly study the election manifestos of the parties and it is the social media content created by the parties that impact the decisions of the people. Every content and status posted by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on social media went viral during the 2026 elections. For instance, his popular post 'Sudur Aba Dur Nai, Jhikai Jhikai Maya Tamlai,' caught the fancy of many people. The lyrical line carries the flavour of the Sudurpaschim dialect.

The issues such as voters' data privacy, micro-targeted political advertising and lack of transparency in digital campaigns were also matters of concern. Tackling misinformation during elections has been a herculean task, and monitoring social and other media platforms requires a strong mechanism equipped with digitally-savvy persons and resources. It should be authorised to oversee online campaigning, identify misuse of digital platforms, while ensuring compliance with election laws. The comprehensive review of the use and misuse of digital technologies during the 2026 parliamentary election can be a basis to form a clear code of conduct for coming elections. Likewise, developing a Digital Integrity Framework and issuance of guidelines on use of AI in political campaigns is equally important.

To protect election integrity, it is necessary to frame personal data protection legislation and update laws governing digital election campaigns, artificial intelligence, political advertising and platform accountability. It also calls for an inter-agency coordination mechanism to manage digital election risks and nationwide programmes on digital, media and electoral literacy. Alongside some monitoring, digital platforms must strengthen their commitment to election integrity. Social media companies should improve transparency in political advertising and enhance their ability to delete coordinated disinformation campaigns.

It is the duty of all political parties, the general people and civil society organisations to create an environment for a healthier digital election environment. Commitment to ethical digital campaigning is a must when a series of hustings veers to hate speech and public fracases. People tend to consume anything and everything the digital media feeds, but fact-checking is very important to curb misinformation. Freedom of expression and speech are the cornerstones of democracy, but they should be practiced within the legal ambit. This also applies to the digital media in order to make it transparent and accountable.