Though police security reports say there could be violence at some polling stations on election day, 8 November, the Mon State Chief of Police, Bo Bo Oo, is confident the polls will be peaceful in Mon State.
He said: "Though conflict is more likely to take place I do not think such conflict will happen. Because the ethnic armed organisations also have a great interest in working for peace and signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) I do not expect such conflicts to happen in the region. I believe that the election in Mon State will be peaceful."
On 15 September the Mon State Police issued a report saying that there will be almost 1,000 polling stations in Mon State and that there could be violence at over 90 of those stations.
On 15 September the Mon State Police issued a report saying that in Mon State there will be 919 polling stations. Of those, they expect that 827 will be peaceful and have no problems, but they are worried that there is a possibility of trouble breaking out at the remaining 92 polling stations.
Of the polling stations that are most likely to suffer from violence 21 are in Kyaikmaraw Township, 4 are in Thanbyuzayat Township, 50 are in Ye Township, 5 are in Kyaikhto Towship, 7 are in Belin Township and 5 are in Thaton Township.
Bo Bo Oo said that because there is no fighting between EAO and government troops in Mon State there should be no disturbance, but, just to make sure the Tatmadaw (Burma Army) will provide security at polling stations where there is risk of violence.
To reduce the risk of violence at the polling stations there have already been negotiations with EAOs active in Mon State.
So far negotiations have been held with the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Karen National Union (KNU) brigade (1), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the KNU/KNLA-PC, the Mon Peace and Defense Front, and other Mon splinter groups.
Reporter Nay Saw Shwe
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
