Mya Wun Yan — The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) issued a statement last week indicating their opposition to the Union Election Commission’s decision to cancel voting in four townships in Shan State.
According to the SNLD, also known as the Tiger Head Party, the party strongly objects to the announcement because the UEC in its move has failed to consider the rights of the local constituents. U Sai Khin Maung Nyunt, a state parliament candidate and chairman of the SNLD’s Shan Hills and Karenni State’s section, told the BNI Newsroom that local residents do not agree with the decision. A sign will signed petition of protest will be submitted to the commission.
“The areas where the [battles] are happening and the ones for holding the election are not related. They view that [the battles] cannot affect the election. That’s why the constituents from respective townships are planning to submit a signed petition to the commission at various levels. I have heard from respective party executive committees about the constituents plan to state their disagreement with the voting cancellation,” said U Sai Khin Maung Nyunt.
The UEC announced on Tuesday that the election will not be held in some areas inside Mong Hsu, Kyethi, Tang Yang, and Hopong townships in Shan State.
The SNLD's Shan rivals however have a different view of the cancellation. “According to the information we have received, the number of war refugees are between 3,000 and 5,000. I don’t think it will be appropriate to hold an election in this kind of situation. I don’t think it would be a free and fair election. Also, the war refugees are fleeing from their homes and running for their lives so I don’t think they would be interested in voting. That’s why I think it’s appropriate not to hold the election,” said U Sai Hla Kyaw, a spokesperson for the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP – White Tiger Party).
The SNLD wants further studies done on the issue. “I want them to do the evaluation after doing field studies. As for the candidate seats, that’s the seat for the Upper House. This makes us suffer. We only have one seat in the Upper House only after joining Loilen and Langkho districts,” said the SNLD's Daw Nan Mya Oo.
U Khun Zaw Tun from the United PaO National Organization said the election postponement should only be carried out with the majority’s desire after getting input from the negotiation committee at the state level.
