STAR REPORT

Dismislab has debunked a viral claim that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir endorsed votes for Jamaat’s “scale” symbol and assigned Chhatra Dal to carry ballot boxes.

Recently, a photo card bearing the DBC News logo went viral on social media. The card claimed that Mirza Fakhrul said, “There is no problem with people going to vote, and it is the responsibility of the Chhatra Dal to bring the ballot boxes on their heads.” The photo card was shared in multiple Facebook groups on February 2.

Dismislab examined all photo cards and posts published on DBC News’ verified Facebook page on February 2 but found no such photo card or report containing the alleged statement.

The organisation also checked DBC News’ official website and YouTube channel, where no record of such comments was found.

Dismislab contacted Kamrul Islam Rubel, deputy general manager of DBC News’ Digital Media Department. He confirmed that DBC News did not publish any such photo card.

NO ELECTION DAY INTERNET BAN

Meanwhile, fact-checking organisation Rumor Scanner has also disproved a claim alleging that Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced an internet shutdown on election day.

A video titled “Internet to be shut down on election day! What a shocking announcement made by the home affairs adviser” has been widely circulated on social media platforms, particularly TikTok and YouTube.

During its investigation, Rumor Scanner identified a video published on February 1 by a YouTube channel named “Aaf Times”. Screenshots from this video’s thumbnail matched those circulating online.

Although the thumbnail claimed an internet shutdown announcement, the video actually said the home affairs adviser warned of legal action if internet services were shut down on election day.