As Nepal heads toward its general elections on March 5, 2026, the campaign has spilled far beyond physical rallies into the virtual realm, fuelled by slick AI-generated disinformation circulating on social media platforms. Analysts and fact-checkers say this surge in manipulated content threatens to distort public perceptions, deepen political divisions and undermine democratic processes.
Social Media at the Heart of Political Contention
With roughly 56% of Nepal’s population online and about 80% of internet traffic flowing through platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, social networks have become the primary space for political messaging ahead of the polls. Parties across the political spectrum are using these platforms to mobilise supporters and especially target younger voters — a demographic that played a decisive role in the 2025 youth-led protests that reshaped Nepal’s political landscape.
Yet this online engagement has a darker side. Experts warn that readily available artificial intelligence tools are being used to create deepfakes, misleading visuals and propaganda, with some posts purporting to show candidates saying or doing things they never did. In a country where digital literacy remains relatively low, these fabricated materials can be easily taken at face value by many users.
Examples of Manipulated Content
Fact-checking organisations have documented multiple cases of fabricated or distorted media:
- AI-generated images circulated online claiming to show a massive political gathering — with inflated attendance figures — that never actually occurred. Authorities found the real crowd size was far smaller.
- A manipulated video alleging that a major party leader urged support for a rival has been shared widely on TikTok before being removed by the platform.
Observers say such tactics are not limited to internal politics. Influence operations with content linked to voices outside Nepal — including calls to restore the former Hindu monarchy — have also gained traction online, complicating the information environment further.
Widespread Misinformation and Hate Speech
The Election Commission of Nepal has expressed serious concern about the volume of hate speech and false narratives circulating ahead of the polls. Officials report that hundreds of cases involving disinformation or inflammatory content have been referred to authorities for investigation, although only a fraction has been acted on so far.
Observers and watchdog groups have also noted that hate speech and abusive content have become common in campaign posts and political commentary — a trend that not only misleads voters but also threatens social cohesion.
Weak Oversight and Limited Countermeasures
Despite efforts to counter false content, experts warn that Nepal currently lacks the resources and technical capacity needed to effectively combat the scale of the disinformation onslaught. Monitoring systems and fact-checking efforts are stretched, while many users struggle to distinguish authentic information from AI-assisted fakes.
Kathmandu-based policy researcher Samik Kharel described the situation as a “digital battleground,” noting that even specialists sometimes find it difficult to verify what is real and what is manufactured.
Implications for Democracy
Analysts say the proliferation of AI-generated misinformation could dampen voter trust, distort public debate and ultimately affect electoral outcomes. “Disinformation remains a top concern that could undermine the integrity of the election process,” said one observer, highlighting the risk that misleading content poses to Nepal’s democratic norms.
As digital content continues to shape public opinion — for better or worse — the challenge of balancing open information flows with credible, verified content remains a critical test for Nepal’s electoral institutions and civil society in this historic vote.
