Nepal Police Arrest 35 Nationwide for Misusing AI and Social Media to Disrupt House of Representatives Elections

Nepal Police arrest 35 people for using AI and social media to spread rumors and disrupt the 2026 House of Representatives elections.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 7:32 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Kathmandu Post

Crackdown on Digital Sabotage

As Nepal prepares for the House of Representatives elections on March 5, 2026, law enforcement agencies have launched a massive nationwide crackdown on digital misinformation. On Tuesday, March 3, Nepal Police spokesperson Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abhi Narayan Kafle confirmed the arrest of 35 suspects from various districts. These individuals are accused of misusing social media platforms and advanced AI tools to disseminate rumors, manipulate public opinion, and disrupt election security. According to DIG Kafle, the suspects' activities were deemed "harmful to election security and public order."

The Rise of AI-Generated Misinformation

A significant portion of the arrests focuses on the unprecedented misuse of Artificial Intelligence in a Nepali electoral cycle. Police reports indicate that suspects utilized AI to create false propaganda and misleading digital content commonly referred to as "deepfakes" designed to undermine specific candidates and the Election Commission's credibility. To counter this, a dedicated AI unit was established at the Police Headquarters last week. This unit is tasked with monitoring and investigating crimes related to AI misuse, referring high-risk cases to the Cyber Bureau for immediate legal action.

Integrated Surveillance Mechanisms

The monitoring of digital platforms is being conducted through a multi-agency framework involving the Election Commission, the Central Election Cell, and various District Election Cells. Nepal Police have deployed sophisticated technological systems, including the Election Information Management System (EIMS) and Geographic Information System (GIS), to track potential hotspots of unrest and monitor online sentiment in real-time. Special mechanisms through the Cyber Bureau have been activated nationwide to identify and neutralize "anti-election" digital campaigns before they escalate into physical violence.