October 7, 2015

Election opinions on social media

The election’s digital challenge @Simondlewis Oct 6 Slick-looking “Forward” pics the information side,” said Ms Ninh. are being shared by Myanmar CATHERINE Meanwhile, the UEC collaborated government officials. But what with IFES on the country’s first digital is the logo? #Burmavotes2015 TRAUTWEIN voter list, an upgrade from previous registrars of mostly handwritten infor- [email protected] mation vulnerable to loss or damage. The process of putting together OR the first time in Myan- the voter list began with a pilot pro- mar’s history, election infor- gram in three separate areas last year Fmation on candidates and that involved about 100,000 regis- voters has been moved into digital trants and 30 laptops. It was followed Simon Lewis, freelance databases. by a national rollout, a process that journalist But while the modernisation push stretched human resource capacity has yielded apps, SMS campaigns and and made use of 1100 laptops. In the a voter list website stacked with mil- preliminary display period, thou- @SengPanLasham lions of names, it has been also been sands of data entry personnel visited Oct 5 confronted by capacity challenges – General Administration Department Election monitoring trip lining still an issue in a country transition- (GAD) offices nationwide to get in- up for entire month in ethnic ing from offline to online, with errors formation out of logbooks and Min- states. Can’t wait being on persisting on paper and mistakes dif- istry of Immigration household lists the ground and observe. ficult to avoid. and into an electronic database via #MyanmarElection2015 Helping to address and overcome software meant to mirror the look of Seng Pan Lasham, political these concerns are international or- physical paperwork. commentator based in Kachin ganisations, which are collaborating Simply digitising old data does not State with the Union Election Commission ensure its accuracy, of course. The list to make information from physical has been attacked by many for vast forms available on the internet. The A resident of Thingangyun township checks the voter lists at a ward inaccuracies, with estimates that in @nyuntaung1959 Asia Foundation mainly digitised administration office. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing some areas nearly half of all eligible Sep 28 candidate data from forms that aspir- voters have been left out. Accidents in @facebook fake page of #Thithtoolwin news ;hate- ing politicians filled out themselves, ... We weren’t quite sure how the UEC tion lab Phandeeyar and others. the transcription process have come speeches & politicizing while the International Foundation would receive it, but we approached The competition ended on Sep- to light – at least one voter has popped #SocialMedia to let #Myan- of Electoral Systems (IFES) worked them and they were surprisingly open.” tember 27, with top honours going to up on the list as a street name – and marElection2015 down with the government to compile and To get the information into a data- a team of mostly teenage developers obsolete source materials have led to Nyunt Aung, business adviser modernise the country’s first digital base, The Asia Foundation assembled that put together an application called deceased people being included. This nationwide voter list. a Unicode-friendly data entry team MVoter 2015. The app’s interface was last problem has prompted jokes that, The Asia Foundation, which estab- – an issue in itself – to type in can- designed to remind of Facebook’s. It in Myanmar, people can vote from be- @midsomernorton5 lished an office in Myanmar in 2013, didate information and scan photos connects users with information on yond this earthly life. Sep 27 had previously worked in Indonesia to from candidate registration forms. how to cast a ballot, voter eligibility The new format does have advan- #MyanmarElection2015 incorporate technology into the 2014 The modernisation process had to be and local candidates. tages, however, including heightened elections. Though the two countries flexible and able to tackle issues far “I think sometimes we can over- security of information. The UEC didn’t originally seem to line up in terms from the digital realm, however: The hype when we talk about leapfrogging said one motivation for digitising the of potential – Indonesia has more expe- foundation’s program and operations because a development process re- voter list was to keep the data perma- rience with electoral races and harbours officer Ma Mi Ki Kyaw Myint said a quires a lot of building blocks. But in nently, but that before the process a more developed tech community – few incomplete forms and even bad this one instance, you see glimpses of started it lacked technical knowledge The Asia Foundation saw the process of handwriting complicated their task. what is possible – using technology in to do so. U Win Kyi said that the com- digitisation could be “inherently useful”, Though the UEC was “extremely creative ways and bringing together mission faced challenges with soft- Cartoonist, Antipro according to Kim Ninh, its Myanmar busy” and new to the digitisation sys- ware knowledge, and also that he was representative. tem, Ma Mi Ki Kyaw Myint said the not yet sure what would happen with Connectivity in the country has commission had been “wonderfully the computers provided for the digiti- @matthewfsmith exploded by way of mobile phones – supportive”. sation process. Still, he put the voter many of them “smart” – and Myan- “There are times the UEC staff We have list database at 33.5 million names, Oct 1 UN @secgen calls for cred- mar’s tech community has taken didn’t understand our process or to remind a significant achievement given the ible election in Myanmar (too shape, she continued. technical aspects, but they were very project started from scratch. late for that), end to abuses “Increasingly there is a leapfrog- open,” she said, even going so far as Another benefit of getting away ourselves Matthew Smith, executive ging effect going on, so perhaps it to request that the foundation keep from paper is that the data is acces- director of Fortify Rights would make sense for The Asia Foun- records of obstacles they came up where we sible to more than just the UEC. Pro- dation to look at this particular proj- against in putting together the candi- spective voters can ensure their eli- ect,” she said, referring to its digitisa- date list. were coming gibility for polling day by heading to @Yanmyothein Oct 6 tion efforts. The Asia Foundation’s data entry checkvoterlist.uecmyanmar.org. “The National Development She said the official response to work was just the start: Now the infor- from in this The site has so far been visited by party will propose the Bud- their endeavour was welcoming. mation had to be put to use. For this, more than 250,000 individual users, dhist monks’ right to vote in “With traditional approaches to it was made available to hackers at an environment. with a massive spike in traffic com- the parliamentary sessions... voter education still so much needed, election-themed tech challenge, the ing on the first day the lists went on Yan Myo Thein, political this one aspect [digitising election in- community-organised Mae Pay Soh Kim Ninh commentator The Asia Foundation formation] seemed a little farfetched hackathon, hosted by local innova- CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 October 7, 2015

Facebook Q&A Ko Thu Ryain Shwe, ‘2015 is National Unity Party

How has Myanmar’s like the tech transformation changed the way candidates campaign?

It only applies to the pre-exams … urban areas. For me, many people [online] know my ideas and that I am going to run via social media and in 2020 it will be online media. But only a few people from my constituency know that. If a candidate wants to launch a social media very different’ campaign targeting his or her own voters it is not the best way to Ko Nay Phone Latt knows quite a bit about what happens when politics and technology collide. He’s a third- campaign. But for the political parties, online generation National League for Democracy member – now running on the party’s ticket to take a seat in the campaigns are very effective. Yangon Region Hluttaw – whose early brushes with activism include joining the 1988 uprising as an eight-year-

Why did you decide old. He was sentenced to 20 years’ prison in 2008 after bloggers used his internet cafes to get news out about to use Facebook as a campaign tool? the 2007 protests, but was released as part of a mass amnesty in January 2012. Here, he speaks toCatherine

I just want let the Trautwein about Myanmar’s changes and how social media will impact the November 8 election young people know I am going to run. How is this election different from Facebook has gotten huge in Myan- candidate Zeyar Thaw – one person undecided. For these voters, our Face- And they should start past ones with regard to the role of mar. Why are you using it in your used his photo and created a fake ac- book posts can be effective. We will thinking about taking part in professional technology? campaign? count, so we reported it and it’s already post our picture, we are going around politics. And I also need Technology is very different com- I have to do it because everybody al- cancelled. We can get this kind of the town and introducing ourselves to volunteers. It wasn’t pared with 2010, 2012, but the prob- ready knows me as a technology per- problem, so candidates should think the people, and at least they can see targeted at voters from lem is the people who use the tech- son. I also want to show all the other about digital security and how to be we are working very hard. I also want my constituency. nology have not changed. The Union candidates they can use this technol- safe online. some candidates to write about policy Election Commission tried to use ogy as a campaigning tool. I would like and big issues. Some of the undecided technology, but because of its weak- to create some examples, and if every- Have you seen other candidates be- voters want to see photos, but they Are there any challenges with using Facebook to ness [and] mismanagement, they body sees my page and my website, gin to use Facebook in this election? also want to know what their poli- run for election? couldn’t take advantage. IFES [Inter- they will know that they can do it. The NLD has around 1138 candidates. cies are ... We should also post some national Foundation for Electoral Sys- And messages and posts [don’t stay Among them are around 115 youth policies and promises. If they can do tems, an international NGO] is helping limited to] Facebook. Some people candidates – it’s 12pc. Most of the those kinds of things, these undecid- Nope. As far as I have them to list the voters, but they have so see something on Facebook and take youth are very active on Facebook. But ed voters can shift to the NLD. experienced, there is no many problems because they are not so the news to the outside world, so the the problem is they don’t have enough Another thing is the swing voter such thing, as long as you can understand the ready to use technology. Facebook campaign can also affect knowledge of digital security, so they who already decided to vote for the diversity. [The former generals] think they the off-line community. Now, I go have experienced many problems. USDP. If we can persuade them very can do everything and they are Super- around town and some people come Hopefully in 2020 Facebook will play strongly, they can swing to the NLD. man. But the voter list issue proves out and welcome me because they al- a very big role. Internet penetration For that kind of person, photos are It is like if someone the former generals cannot do every- ready know me on Facebook. rate will have increased rapidly on 2012 not enough. We have to persuade commented on your thing. They have to value technicians ... [and] 2015 is like the pre-exams. We them in so many ways – not only with post with different point and intellectual people. What do people ask you online? cannot rely only on Facebook now, but photos but also with policy, and we of view, or says ‘I don’t support your ideas,’ ... As Some of the people from Thin- in 2020 it will be very different. need to learn about their life and why a candidate you should A big change has been the jump in gangyun township [where Ko Nay they decided to vote for the USDP. not reply to them with mobile phone users. How can that af- Phone Latt is competing for an Amyo- Will people’s actions on social me- emotion, and should not fect campaigning and the election? tha Hluttaw seat] ask me when I will dia translate into real life? What are your election hopes? take every comment into So many people can access the inter- come to their quarter. Another thing Not exactly, but you can guess it. Now We want a free and fair election, but account. net and have mobile phones. But the is for voter education. I got so many on social media, the NLD already won this depends on ourselves. We have to problem is very few candidates and questions from voters and I tried to [laughs]. We can guess the amount of do our best. Now we have the problem Can social media affect parliament members have enough answer all of them. So [Facebook is] the audience – who likes the NLD, in the voter list and there will be an- the election? knowledge of how to use this technol- very useful to get familiar with the who doesn’t like the NLD. We cannot other problem just before the election ogy very effectively. I’ve gotten some people around this town and for voter count every “like” as a vote, but we – the religious problem is also one of messages from the UEC and Telenor education and the voter list. can make a guess. the things. Advance voting will also be Of course, yes ... The to check the voter list ... I also told Tele- a big problem. So to be a free and fair election business is all nor, as the election gets nearer and Have there been any problems on Do you think people are more likely election, everyone has to take respon- about communication. nearer, you should send SMSs to every- Facebook? to vote for someone they’ve con- sibility. We have to check the voter list, Among the parties and body: ‘two days left before the election’, One candidate, Dr Soe Moe Thu, had nected with on social media? we have to monitor the election ... Now candidates, the one ‘one day left’, ‘today is Election Day’, his account reported and Facebook That depends on the audience. We Ma Ba Tha is everywhere. They go in- who can communicate effectively will be a something like that. That kind of thing closed his account. Facebook asked have the very sure voters – no matter side every town and campaign for the winner. It is clear. will be very useful to motivate people him so many questions, so it was what happens they will vote for the USDP, against the NLD, something and increase voter turnout. very problematic for him. And NLD NLD. But another [type of] voter is like that. So we also think about that. October 7, 2015 The Facebook election? Not quite yet Urban candidates are best-placed to make use of social media, but many are wary of how online campaigns will be received

CATHERINE WA LONE TRAUTWEIN About one-third of political parties (roughly 33 of 91) appear EW tech is transforming to have a presence on Facebook Myanmar – but can it also Nimpact on the November 8 election? While some of the country’s election candidates have made Face- book their podium, the still-low num- ber of Myanmar people on the social media platform – estimated at barely 10 percent of the population – means politicians can only make so many “friends”. In just a few years, the propor- tion of Myanmar’s population with a phone connection has risen from about 10 percent to more than 40pc. It should continue to climb strongly in the coming years as the mobile industry’s three operators battle to acquire new users by spread- ing infrastructure to the country’s furthest corners. Have you seen this man in your news feed recently? Photo: Zarni Phyo Yet campaigning on Facebook cur- rently has a limited reach. Though “There are a lot of young people influence haven’t stopped some can- are that we can show what we have many of those getting new SIM cards in Yangon ... who are using Facebook, didates from using Facebook. The done. If we lie on Facebook, good re- are using data, it’s not everyone – and so for Nay Phone Latt it’s effective,” social media platform has been the sults won’t come.” then not all of those connecting to he said, referring to the well-known stage for some of the year’s best politi- He agreed that a social media the internet use social media. Local blogger and activist running in Thin- cal theatre; in August, parliamentary strategy could help candidates win civil society organisation Myanmar gangyun township. “[But if] I am the Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann used in urban areas. “If candidates cannot ICT for Development (MIDO) has candidate for a small Kayah village, the site to assure people he was back go to every house, people can see his estimated the Myanmar user base of if we spend money on Facebook it’s a at his desk after a midnight ouster policy and who he is via Facebook,” he Facebook, by far the most popular so- waste of money.” as leader of the Union Solidarity and added. Active SIM cards in use: cial network, at 6 million people. For the major parties seeking to Development Party. His page boasts Heading to Facebook can open up 32 million (Ministry of These are mostly in urban areas, reach a national audience and build frequent updates, and posts generate a channel for candidates to connect Communications and IT) however, making the social media awareness about their activities, it’s thousands of “likes”. Scrolling Face- with voters. But it can also expose SIMs using internet: platform potentially useful for city- also useful. book’s News Feed, users might even them to abuse – something that USDP More than 19.2 million (MCIT) based candidates. Some are bullish “Now, big parties are creating stumble on a sponsored post from the lower house candidate U Ye Aung said about the opportunities. their own pages on Facebook,” said Ko parliamentary Speaker. he fears. Facebook users, estimated: 6 million (MIDO) “In 2010, a mere 1pc to 2pc of Than Htike Soe, technical director for However, his more than 182,000 “I didn’t post any of my campaign people had access to the internet. local social network DoeMyanmar. fans and counting can’t measure up to activities online and on social media Now, we have 18 million people who “But I don’t see ethnic parties or inde- online support behind Daw Aung San because I am afraid of people insult- are using mobile data,” said MIDO pendent candidate pages.” Suu Kyi, whose official page has been ing me on Facebook,” said the politi- try but it is still difficult to reach program manager Ma Htaike Htaike It’s not only candidates that are “liked” by over 1.3 million people. cian, who is running in Bahan town- my constituency,” said U Ye Tun. Aung. “That’s quite a big number, and seeking to take advantage of new tech Along with content from the cam- ship. “Facebook has good and weak While voters in his area aren’t big I think the 18 million people also be- opportunities for the election. paign trail, the politician many call points, but for me it’s more annoying Facebook users, young urban ethnic long to the areas in the country which Pandita launched a Facebook plat- “The Lady” posted a video on how to to see hate speech, abusive words and Shan people use it regularly. “The will have good voter turnout.” form to motivate Myanmar’s youth to physically cast a ballot. attacks.” people in the villages can hear my Already, she said, “It’s very clear get out and vote, and an accompany- But the NLD is also wary about un- Some election candidates have contributions from the radio, not that people are seeing social media as ing website. filtered engagement on the site – so more experience on social media than from Facebook.” a medium they can use.” But the organisation’s election pro- concerned, in fact, that it has previ- others. Shan Nationalities Democrat- But the platform isn’t ideal for en- Facebook’s importance as a cam- gram officer, Ko Phyo Tin Oo, said he ously prohibited its candidates from ic Party (SNDP) MP U Ye Tun, who is gaging in debate, he conceded. paign tool depends largely on the didn’t think social media could affect speaking to the media or posting on re-contesting his lower house seat of “For example, when we argue candidate, according to Ko Chamtha the election’s outcome because of the Facebook. Hsipaw, said he has used it for years to about federalism, I can’t explain Kyaw, the executive director of Pandi- small number of Facebook users as “The weak point of social media reach out to the media. everything on social media. That ta Development Institute. A politician compared to the country’s population. is [people] can [put] abusive posts or “I have a lot of journalist friends, would be a very long conversation,” running for a seat in an urban area “Most people don’t use Face- comments on it,” said Shan National- and they are using social media so he continued. has more use for it than one hoping to book,” he said. ites League for Democracy secretary I can talk to them easily. The quick – Additional reporting win a rural constituency. These doubts about reach and U Sai Nyunt Lwin. “The strong points response spreads around the coun- by Aung Kyaw Nyunt October 7, 2015

Following Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit to Kachin, The Myanmar Times examines eight parties fielding candidates in the conflict-hit state

Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State Democracy Party Kachin State

Founded: August 2, 2010 Based: Myitkyina, Kachin State Founded: December 10, 2013 Based: Myitkyina, Kachin State Senior members: U Khat Htein Nan, Daw Dwe Bu Senior member: Manam Tu Jar Seats won 1990: Not registered Seats won 2010: 5 Seats won 1990: Not registered Seats won 2010: Not registered Seats won 2012: Did not contest Candidates 2015: 8 Seats won 2012: Not registered Candidates 2015: 55 Overview: The UDPKS was one of a handful of ethnic parties that allied Overview: Could it be third time lucky for Manam Tu Jar? In 2010 the with the Union Solidarity and Development Party in the 2010 former Kachin Independence Organisation vice chair was election. This was a mixed blessing: While it meant an easier blocked from forming a party by the election commission, shot at winning seats, it damaged the party’s legitimacy in while in 2012 he registered as an independent but the vote was the eyes of most ethnic Kachin. Nevertheless, Daw Dwe Bu in cancelled due to conflict with the KIO. This time around his particular has been one of the most impressive parliamentary party has fielded a large slate of candidates but faces a tough performers and has a good chance to hold on to the lower house fight to emerge as the preeminent ethnic Kachin party. seat of Injanyang.

Tai-Leng Nationalities Kachin Democratic Party Development Party

Founded: May 10, 2012 Based: Chan Mya Tharsi, Mandalay Founded: January 13, 2014 Based: Sanchaung, Yangon Senior members: U Sai Htay Aung, U Sai Ohn Ohn Leader: U Awng Hkam Seats won 1990: Not registered Seats won 2010: Not registered Seats won 1990: Not registered Seats won 2010: Not registered Seats won 2012: Not registered Candidates 2015: 54 Seats won 2012: Not registered Candidates 2015: 32 Overview: The Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party represents the Red Overview: Another of the new faces in Kachin State, the Kachin Democratic Shan, or Shan-ni, who are thought to number 300,000 and live Party is led by U Awng Kham, the son of Kachin politician in northern Sagaing Region and Kachin State. Until now the Red Gumgrawng Zau Ing, who in 1990 headed the Kachin State Shan have had little political representation, but the TNDP will National Congress for Democracy. U Awng Kham will be be hoping to pick up the Shan ethnic affairs minister positions in expecting to win more than the three seats that his father Sagaing Region and Kachin State at a minimum. claimed in that election, but like other Kachin State parties will face stiff competition. Lhaovo National Unity and Development Party (LNUDP) Lisu National Development Party (LNDP) Founded: June 29, 2015 Based: Waingmaw, Kachin State Senior members: U Daung Kham, U Dewi Founded: December 17, 2013 Based: Myitkina, Kachin State Seats won 1990: Not registered Seats won 2010: Not registered Senior members: U Arki Dawu Seats won 2012: Not registered Candidates 2015: 21 Seats won 1990: Not registered Seats won 2010: Not registered Overview: The Lhaovo, also known as the Maru, are one of the sub-groups Seats won 2012: Not registered Candidates 2015: 28 of the Kachin and mostly reside in the east of the state, in Overview: Despite having a population estimated at 600,000 in Myanmar, Waingmaw, Chipwe and Tsawlaw townships. Estimates for the the Lisu were not represented in 2010. However, the Lisu people group’s population vary, but could be as high as 120,000, not are spread widely throughout the country and as a result the counting those living across the border in China. The Lhaovo Lisu National Development Party is fielding candidates across a went unrepresented in the 2010 election but that will change this range of states and regions, including Kachin, Shan, Kayah and year, with the LNUDP fielding several candidates. Mandalay.

Shan-ni & Northern Shan Ethnics Kachin National Congress for Democracy Solidarity Party

Founded: May 20, 2015 Based: Maha Aung Myay, Mandalay Founded: December 11, 2013 Based: Myitkina, Kachin State Senior members: U Saw Win Tun Senior members: U Si Si Naw Gyar, U Aung La Seats won 1990: Not registered Seats won 2010: Not registered Seats won 1990: Not registered Seats won 2010: Not registered Seats won 2012: Not registered Candidates 2015: 17 Seats won 2012: Not registered Candidates 2015: 37 Overview: Formed by ex-members of the TNDP, the Shan-ni & Northern Overview: The Kachin National Congress for Democracy is the third major Shan Ethnics Solidarity Party is led by U Saw Win Tun, whose Kachin party contesting the election, and registered a day after father was a prominent Red Shan politician who was charged the Kachin State Democracy Party. The breakdown in merger with treason for proposing a “Red Shan State” across northern talks between the Kachin parties will complicate the election Myanmar. U Saw Win Tun’s failed run for an upper house seat picture for all, as there is significant overlap across the state’s 68 with the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party will stand him in constituencies. good stead for a tilt at office this year.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 vote in ethnic election contests and Aside from the equipment, the biggest this was really closed off and viewed – to establish new practices: making should provide information on poll- change from the 2010 election is the as only official information to a time information open and available, and display nationwide. The UEC also ing stations in the future. attitude. when it’s actually available on an app.” making it more of a process of the re- linked up with Myanmar’s three mo- The digitisation process has left the “Every step forward is a significant “There are many firsts in Myan- lationship between the government bile phone operators to alert all their UEC with new servers, an IT depart- step in this regard,” Ms Ninh said. “We mar with this election and I think and citizens,” she added. customers of the display’s launch. ment and, at the township level, com- have to remind ourselves where we this is also a time in which we are “For our little project to be able to The site has recently been updat- puters in every office, with the UEC were coming from in this environment working with Myanmar counterparts help in that regard – it’s a very hope- ed to allow users to check if they can matching IFES donations one-to-one. ... from a time when information like – whether in government or outside ful sign.”