Digital Rights Weekly/Year 1/Issue 22

Political Parties prioritize ICT in Election Manifesto
Most of the political parties have unveiled their manifesto for the upcoming election of the House of Representatives and province assembly scheduled on 20 November 2022.

Nepali Congress has unveiled its election manifesto promising robust ICT policies ahead of the general election. Under the theme of Digital Nepal: The Basis for Good Governance and Development, Congress has promoted the idea of a digital economy, digital transformation of public services, increasing access to ICT, etc. “By bringing a borderless regulatory framework, we will make it easier for local tech companies to expand in the international sphere and develop strategy prioritizing data collection centers, digital maps, and artificial intelligence,” the party’s election manifesto read. Electronic payment at public service offices, privacy, and cyber security, broadband access at all local levels, and IT information parks in seven provinces are other highlights in the manifesto. Nepali Congress 

Similarly, CPN–UML, unveiling its election manifesto digitally, has continued its resolution of ‘Prosperous Nepal: Happy Nepali’. CPN-UML has given special priority to the digital and IT sectors. Manifesto of the CPN- UML promised twenty guarantees, ‘no line (queue), service online’, ‘5G communication, Miracle in IT’ sector are two guarantees related to ICT and digital space. Affordable, accessible, and reliable communication facilities are given priority in the manifesto. From extending 5G technology to providing government services online CPN-UML have made the commitment to make information technology and communication facilities affordable, accessible, and reliable; and have prioritized implementation of Digital Nepal framework with some modification. CPN-UML 

The CPN (Maoist Center) also has given priority to the development of ICT in Nepal in its manifesto. The manifesto states a 10-year long-term policy for science and technology and allocation of 10 billion funds for the development of ICT in the next 5 years. The manifesto promised to digitalize all government function and services with the help of the digital revolution. The manifesto promised optimum use of information technology in various sectors like health, education, and infrastructural development, and establishment of a single service system to provide e-health, e-education, etc. further the manifesto promised to produce well-skilled human resources for the digital revolution for national prosperity.

CPN (Unified Socialist) has addressed the ICT sector in its manifesto with the slogan ‘Science, Technology and Innovation: Fundamental Basis of Economic-Social Transformation’. The manifesto states that ‘National Science Technology and Innovation Policy 2076’ and ‘National Education Policy 2076’ will be taken into consideration while deciding the science and technology policy, least 1 percent of the total budget will be allocated at every level of the government for IT research and development, and emphasis will be given to the development and transfer of new technology and the use of smart technology in all sectors. Further, it claims that Public service delivery will be linked to information technology to make it fast, efficient and transparent.(CPN (Unified Socialist))

Rastriya Prajatantra Party also released its election manifesto for the upcoming election with the promise of implementing a Digital Nepal framework. It promises to have compulsory computer education for all levels of education with well-trained teachers. Similarly, it mentions establishing a ward health office and preparing the health profile of each citizen. Information technology sector is to be made a major revenue generation sector mainly from international companies according to Rastriya Prajatantra Party manifesto. (Rastriya Prajatantra Party)

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) also released its manifesto with a plan establishing a secure public digital structure. The manifesto promised to have the physical digital infrastructure, high-speed Internet access, access points, and secure data centers hosted in Nepal. Similarly, Rastriya Swatantra Party promised to make all government services digitalized, high priority is given to make them all paperless. Further, the manifesto states to make strong and clear data security laws. Manifesto mentioned to develop Digital Address System and Express Post for E-Commerce. Similarly, RSP promised to make crypto and bitcoin mining legal in Nepal.(Rastriya Swatantra Party)

Which one of these policies has struck you the most? Do you find some of the plans more for political canvassing than being realistic?

ECN Directed for Efficient Telecom Services for the Upcoming Election
The Election Commission has directed the government agencies and private service provider to keep the communication and telecommunication services efficient for the election of members of the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly. The commission has given seven points of direction to the Nepal Police, Nepal Army, Nepal Telecom, private service providers, and development projects to prioritize the repairing and expansion services of wireless, telephone, fax, and other communication tools of the government agencies immediately. (For more: Technology Khabar)

Meta Deactivates Facebook Group MRR, for Election-related Content
Meta has deactivated the popular Facebook group MRR (Men’s Room Reloaded) citing community guideline violations by the group. MRR is a popular Facebook group among Nepali netizens where youth-centric topics are discussed. Lately, the group was also posting content relating to the upcoming general election, which may have led the group to come under the Election Commission radar. The Election Commission has strengthened its efforts to curb hate speech and misinformation ahead of the election. Facebook comments, tags, and sharing have also been under their watch. Recently, the Commission had a meeting with the representatives of Meta, and requested to monitor posts comments by Nepali users. It is not the first time MRR came under scrutiny though. In 2020, the group was penalized on similar grounds. Election-related posts are most likely the reason for the deactivation of MRR. But it remains to be seen whether the deactivation is temporary or permanent. (For more: Online Khabar)

Independent candidate ahead in Paid Facebook Election Campaign
Social media has become an easy medium for the campaigning of the upcoming House of Representatives and State Assembly elections. A study has revealed that independent candidates are the top spenders on social media for campaigning on Facebook.
It is noted that 50 candidates spent more than $100 on election-focused ads on Facebook last September and October. Out of the total advertisements, 43.8 percent of the advertisements are of independent candidates. The Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) is in second place in spending on election campaigns through Facebook ads with 14.1 percent. (For more: Techpana)

Civil Society Express Concerns Regarding state of Civic Freedom
On 4 November 2022, Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) hosted an interaction event on “Election and civic freedom concerns”, where various personnel from civil society organizations, Media, and Law had discussions on concerns about the impact of election laws on civic freedom. The event was organized in the backdrop of growing civic concerns regarding the impact on civic freedoms from the recent developments such as the order of the Election Commission to remove the No, Not Again pages, deactivation of MRR page, clarification sought from by Nagarik Daily by the ECN for publishing cartoons, regulation of free speech through the election code of conduct. Civil society leaders in the event urged the need to come together and draw attention of the authorities on how their actions have trampled on the rights of the citizens and have impact on functioning democracy.

Digital Rights Weekly is a week-based update on Digital Rights and ICT issues, that happened throughout the week, compiled and analyzed from the digital rights perspective by Digital Rights Nepal (DRN). DRN is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to the protection and promotion of digital rights, including the right to online freedom of expression and association, online privacy, access to information, and related issues such as internet governance, cyber laws/policies, and cyber securities in Nepal.