From fake boycott claims to fake results: How fabricated media photocards fueled Election‑Day rumors
During the 13th National Election, several photocards mimicking established news outlets circulated widely from various Facebook profiles, pages, and groups. These photocards promoted claims related to election boycotts, alliance withdrawals, and election results.
However, verification shows that these photocards were fabricated. None of the circulating cards appeared on the official Facebook pages or websites of the media outlets cited as source.
False claim that Jamaat candidate quit race
On 12 February, two photocards carrying the logos of the daily Jugantor and daily Amar Desh were shared on Facebook. Both claimed that Sultan Ahmed, the Jamaat‑e‑Islami candidate for the Barguna‑2 constituency, quit the race. The date “February, 11, 2026” was printed on both cards.
Dismislab’s verification found that the claim and both photocards were fake. Amar Desh confirmed on its official Facebook page that false photocards were being circulated in its name to mislead the public. No such card was found on the official page of Jugantor either.
In addition, Sultan Ahmed’s official campaign Facebook page made no mention of withdrawing his candidacy. Instead, on election day, he posted multiple live videos urging supporters to vote and advising them not to fall for rumors.
Fake photocard claimed Nahid Islam left Jamaat alliance
A photocard carrying the logo of the daily Jugantor was posted from a personal Facebook profile, claiming that National Citizen Party leader Nahid Islam announced his departure from the Jamaat-led electoral alliance. The photocard carried the date “February 11, 2026.” Featuring an image of Nahid Islam, the caption read: “Jamaat is deceitful, fraudulent, and anti‑state — NCP will not take responsibility for any of Jamaat’s crimes. Nahid Islam has announced the party’s exit from the alliance.” The same photocard was posted from another personal profile.
However, Dismislab’s fact‑check found that the photocard is fake. An analysis of the circulated image shows discrepancies in font style and formatting compared to authentic photocards produced by Jamuna TV. Moreover, no such photocard or report was published on Jugantor’s official Facebook page or website on February 11. Additionally, no credible news outlet has reported any announcement from Nahid Islam or the NCP about withdrawing from their alliance with Jamaat.
Fake photocard claimed BNP boycott
A fake photocard using the logo of Jamuna TV was circulated on Facebook, claiming that the BNP had convened an emergency press conference to announce an election boycott. The caption on the photocard read: “BNP has called an emergency press conference at midnight.”
Dismislab’s verification found that Jamuna TV did not publish any such photocard, nor was there any related content on the channel’s official Facebook page or website. In fact, coverage by multiple news outlets showed BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir giving statements after casting his vote.
Further investigation revealed that on February 11, several media outlets (1, 2) did publish photocards with headlines such as “BNP calls an emergency press conference,” which visually resemble the fake one being circulated. However, none of the legitimate photocards mentioned anything about a “decision to boycott the election.”
Fake claims over arrest of Tarique Rahman’s aide
A photocard bearing the logo of the daily Jugantor circulated on Facebook, claiming that police arrested Tarique Rahman’s special assistant with a box of fake ballots in Dhaka‑17. The caption read: “Breaking news at this moment.” The center of the photocard displayed the date “February 12, 2026.” The same claim was also shared across multiple Facebook groups (1, 2, 3).
Dismislab’s fact‑check found that Jugantor did not publish any such photocard. An analysis of the circulated graphic shows noticeable discrepancies in font style and formatting compared to authentic Jugantor photocards. No related photocard or news report appeared on Jugantor’s verified Facebook page or official website.
Further verification revealed that the image used in the fake photocard appears in a different, legitimate photocard published by Jugantor on February 12, which carried a completely unrelated headline: “13 BNP activists arrested in Ashulia on allegations of attempting to take control of a polling center.” Dismislab found no news reports supporting the claim that Tarique Rahman’s special assistant was arrested with a fake ballot box.
Fake photocard quotes Tarique ordering violence
A photocard carrying the logo of the news outlet BanglaVision was posted in a Facebook group, claiming that Tarique Rahman instructed BNP leaders and activists nationwide to engage in violence. The date “February 12, 2026” appears at the bottom left of the card. Dismislab’s fact‑check found that BanglaVision did not publish this photocard. No such graphic or report appears on the outlet’s verified Facebook page or official website.
Further investigation using reverse image search revealed that the photo used in the fake graphic actually appears in a different photocard published by BanglaVision on February 12. The authentic card carried the headline: “23 result sheets bearing the signature of the scale symbol’s polling agent seized in Jhenaidah.” BanglaVision also published a corresponding news report on this issue.
According to the report, 23 result sheets signed by the polling agent of the Daripalla symbol were recovered and seized from a polling center in Jhenaidah‑4. The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. on February 11 at Center No. 5 of Kaliganj Municipality at Salimunnesa Secondary Girls’ School.
Fake photocards suggest potential boycott by Mirza Abbas
A photocard carrying the logo of the news outlet Channel 24 was posted on Facebook, featuring an image of Mirza Abbas. The text on the photocard read: “Still hopeful about victory; I will decide whether to boycott the election after seeing the results: Mirza Abbas.” No date was shown on the graphic.
Another photocard using the same news outlet’s logo was posted in a Facebook group, this time claiming: “Union Chhatra Dal caught by the army with more than two hundred fake ballot boxes. When apprehended, they said they were acting on Tarique Rahman’s orders.”
The same photocard was circulated across multiple other Facebook groups (1, 2) as well.
Dismislab’s fact‑check found that Channel 24 did not publish any such photocards. No relevant graphic or report appeared on the outlet’s verified Facebook page or official website. There were no Channel 24 reports featuring comments from Mirza Abbas suggesting a potential boycott, nor any reports supporting the claim that Chhatra Dal activists were caught with fake ballot boxes.
False claims over arrest for fake voting
A photocard styled with the logo of the news outlet Rtv was circulated on social media, claiming that an active member of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) was arrested in Khagrachhari while attempting to cast fake votes on behalf of independent candidate Dharmajyoti Chakma. The text inside the photocard read: “One detained in Khagrachhari while attempting to cast fake votes for independent candidate Dharmajyoti Chakma.”
The Rtv logo appeared at the top left of the card, but no date was provided. The caption accompanying the post reiterated the same claim. Dismislab’s fact‑check found that the photocard is fake and the image used is from an unrelated incident. A reverse image search of the photo revealed two reports published in 2024 by the news outlets Sarabangla and Bangladesh Pratidin, both of which used the same image to report on the arrest of a motorcycle theft ring member.
Additionally, Abu Azad, the online in‑charge at Rtv, confirmed to Dismislab that the news outlet did not publish any such photocard.
Fake photocard claims Jamaat candidate pulled out
A photocard carrying the logo of the daily Amar Desh circulated on Facebook, claiming that Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid, the Bangladesh Jamaat‑e‑Islami candidate for Jashore‑2 (Jhikargacha–Chaugachha), had announced a boycott of the election, alleging irregularities. The text inside the photocard read: “Jashore‑2 Jamaat candidate Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid boycotts the election over allegations of irregularities.”
The caption further stated: “Citing widespread irregularities, expulsion of polling agents, and intimidation of voters, the Jamaat‑e‑Islami candidate for Jashore‑2 (Jhikargacha–Chaugachha), Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid, has announced a boycott of the election.”
Dismislab’s verification found that Amar Desh did not publish any such photocard. The newspaper’s Associate Editor, Alfaz Anam, confirmed that the circulating graphic does not belong to Amar Desh. Additionally, the official Facebook page used for Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid’s election campaign contains no mention of an election boycott.
Fake claims over Jamaat’s lead in two seats
A photocard bearing the logo of the news outlet Channel 24 was posted in a Facebook group named “Basher Kella,” claiming that a Jamaat‑e‑Islami-affiliated former Shibir president was leading by 9 percentage points over the BNP Secretary General in Thakurgaon‑1 based on “exit polls.” The photocard displayed the date “February 12, 2026” at the bottom left.
Dismislab’s verification found that Channel 24 did not publish any such photocard. An analysis showed discrepancies in font style and layout compared to authentic Channel 24 graphics. No such photocard was found on the outlet’s verified Facebook page or its official website.
Another photocard, posted in a Facebook group named “Bangladesh Jamaat‑e‑Islami,” used the logo of Jamuna TV. The graphic claimed: “Salahuddin has received 39 percent; Jamaat’s Faruk leads with 54 percent.” The date “February 12, 2026” appeared at the bottom right of the card.
Dismislab found that Jamuna TV did not publish any such photocard. No similar content existed on the channel’s verified Facebook page or official website.
Fake claims of expulsion for voting “Yes”
A photocard using the logo of Jamuna TV was circulated from a Facebook page named “Bongomitra.” The card claimed that a Jubo Dal leader had been expelled for posting “Yes” in the referendum in Bogura-6 constituency where BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman contested. The text on the photocard read: “Jubo Dal leader expelled after posting he voted “Yes” in the referendum in Tarique Rahman’s constituency.” The post’s caption stated: “Munafiq BNP is more dangerous than the infidel.”
Dismislab’s fact‑check found that the news outlet did not publish any such photocard. An analysis of the circulated card revealed inconsistencies in font style and formatting compared to authentic Jamuna TV graphics. Additionally, no similar photocard or report appeared on Jamuna TV’s official Facebook page or website.
