Kayah Observer Group Says Union Election Commission Failing to Inform Public

Kayah Observer Group Says Union Election Commission Failing to Inform Public
by -
Kantarawaddy Times

A representative of a Kayah State based election observation group told the Kantarawaddy Times last week that the Union Election Commission (UEC) and its sub commission operating in Kayah state is not doing enough to inform the public about the upcoming national election.

"According to our observation, cooperation from ward and village [commission] is lacking. Some of the public have came to see [the voter list], but they don’t know whether their names are included or are incorrect. The village and ward commission is neglecting them. Many of them aren't providing service to the public," said Ma Sandar Win, an election observer with the Kayah State based Election Observation Group.

She also said that on the ground various UEC sub-commissions appear not to be relaying all the announcements from the UEC to the local people as they are supposed to do.   

Kayah State election observer Ko Mirae urged the government, the UEC, civic society groups, and political parties to give special attention to informing those in remote villages that are still lacking basic information about the election.

“It’s difficult to attract public interest in the election when they believe this election will be just like the previous one,” he said.

The Demoso Township Election Commission has planned to invite local youths to give election education on a door to door basis, according to the township commission’s chairman U Oo Yal.

"People in our village lack knowledge,” Ko Mirae Myo Nyunt said.  

Most of the members of the village and ward commissions did the same task in 2010,  this has led to a general skepticism from many in the public about the the ability of UEC staff to carry out their role.  

The Darna Shae Saung Myanmar is the only group that has received accreditation to conduct election observation activities in Kayah state.

Translated by Thida Linn with editing by BNI staff. 

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