Political parties in Arakan say digital campaigning founders on 2G limitations

By Min Tun 28 Aug 2020

Min Tun | DMG
28 August, Sittwe

Arakan State-based political parties are struggling to conduct social media campaigning for the upcoming general election due to poor internet access in much of the state, officials from the parties say.

A recent spike of coronavirus infections in Arakan State has largely brought traditional, in-person campaign activities to a standstill just over two months from Election Day. But efforts to take their pitches to voters online have foundered amid ongoing internet restrictions in seven Arakan State townships and Paletwa Township, Chin State. 

Early this month, the Ministry of Transport and Communications restored mobile internet to the eight townships — but only on a 2G network — more than a year after online access was initially blocked entirely.

In mid-August, more than 30 civil society organisations called for full internet access to be restored, describing the inferior connection as unworkable. The foreign telecommunications provider Telenor said the townships given only 2G access “continue to lack meaningful internet services.”

Now political parties are joining the other complainants as the election draws nearer and the pandemic forces much campaigning into the digital realm.

“The government said that it resumed internet access in Arakan State, but 2G internet access is not convenient for us. We face many difficulties to carry out political campaigns in Arakan State via social media due to the poor internet connection,” said U Tun Aung Kyaw, a member of a policy committee for the Arakan National Party (ANP).

“Local political parties will likely face hardships when launching electoral campaigns and announcing policies via social media in some townships in Arakan State where only a 2G internet network is available,” said Dr. San Shwe, chairperson of the Arakan State Union Solidarity and Development Party.

“We are planning to conduct election campaigns and announce the party’s policies via online. We will distribute pamphlets about the party’s policies on a door-to-door basis where only 2G internet access is given,” he explained.

From August 16-28, a total of 226 COVID-19 cases were reported in Arakan State — 136 in Sittwe Township; 14 each in Pauktaw and Mrauk-U townships; 19 in Maungdaw Township; six each in Buthidaung, Myebon and Kyauktaw townships; five in Minbya Township; seven in Kyaukphyu Township; eight in Thandwe Township; two in Taungup Township; and one each in Ponnagyun, Manaung and Gwa townships.

Prior to the recent outbreak, there had been just 16 coronavirus cases in total reported in Arakan State since the beginning of the global pandemic.