Thuta Linn — Voting in next month's election will not take place in 211 village tracts in Kachin state. Although voting has also been suspended in other states including in Karen and Shan states, Kachin State will have more non voting areas than any other state in the country.
In accordance with Section 10 (f) of the Union Election Commission law, the Union Election Commission (UEC) released on October 12th a list of areas where voting has been cancelled.
The majority of the areas and village tracts where voting has been canceled are part of Injangyang, Sumprabum, Momauk, and Waingmaw constituencies.
Daw Doi Bu from the Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State (UDPKS), who is running for a Lower House seat in the Injangyang constituency, said voting has not been canceled in the entire constituency so the candidates will continue to work in the areas where voting will take place.
“You can say the state will not suffer with the candidate as the entire constituency has not been canceled and we will continue to carry out what needs to be done. But, there will be a decline in voters in this area,” said Daw Doi Bu.
The cancellation appears to be directly related to the ongoing conflict in the state and a lack of stability in these areas. Although voting has not banned in their territory it also appease that voting will not take place in areas under the control of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and its armed wing the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).
Daw Jar Taung from the Kachin State Democracy Party (KSDP), who is running for a Lower House seat from the Waingmaw constituency, told BNI that her constituency may suffer by the decision by the UEC to suspend voting in her constituency.
“Many Kachin people reside in our area so we will lose some support as they can no longer vote in the election,” said Daw Jar Taung.
She added that Sawahpar Village Tract in Waingmaw constituency has many eligible Kachin voters. She questioned the need for the suspension as the area is not in territory controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).
Kachin-based parties have voiced concern that ongoing conflict between the KIA and Burmese Army could affect the upcoming election.
Although there have been calls from some parties including KSDP leader Dr Tu Ja that the there be a halt to the fighting during the election period, both the Kachin
Independence Organization (KIO) and the army have yet to make any official announcement that such a move would take place.
Translated by Thida Linn with editing by BNI staff.
