The junta is planning to restore mobile phone networks and internet services in the last three cities under its control in Arakan (Rakhine) State—Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung—ahead of the election it intends to oversee.
With the exception of these three cities, all other cities and towns in Arakan State are under the control of the Arakan Army (AA). The junta plans to hold voting in these cities scheduled for later this year and intends to restore telephone and internet services in September to support this effort.
“First, the telephone lines will be restored, then the internet services. Right now, the priority is Sittwe City. After that, same steps will be taken in Kyaukphyu and Manaung,” said a junta employee in Arakan State familiar with the matter.
Following a series of setbacks from the AA offensive, the junta shut down all communication networks and services across Arakan State in May 2024.
The junta later restored limited mobile data services from MPT and MEC in parts of Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung cities, though signal strength remained weak. In Sittwe, internet access is now available in scattered locations using MyTel SIM cards.
The junta plans to restore internet and phone services for all MPT, MyTel, and MEC users in the three cities, with services to be extended to surrounding villages once the work is completed.
“Even if the junta is just restoring these networks for the election, it’s still nice to see locals getting better communication. That’s a good thing,” said a young woman from Kyaukphyu City.
Since the junta imposed phone and internet blackouts, residents of Arakan State have been denied access to information and have faced difficulties in health, education, and socio-economic matters.
U Ba Shein, founder of the Rakhine Nationalities Party (RNP), which will contest the election, said he had urged the junta to restore telephone lines to support campaigning in Manaung City.
“The upcoming election is very important for the junta. The parties that back the coup regime will do everything they can to assist, using a mix of intimidation and inducement to manipulate the public. This kind of tactic is common among both the junta and its allied political parties,” said a young social activist from Arakan State.
The junta-controlled Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that the election will be held in phases, with Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung townships included in the first phase.
Currently, alongside the RNP, the Arakan Front Party (AFP), Rakhine State National Unity Party (RSNUP), Kha Mee National Development Party (KMNDP), Mro National Party (MNP), and Mro National Development Party (MNDP) are registered with the UEC as Arakan State-based parties set to contest the election.
