The junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has found little support among youths in Maungdaw, according to a local election watchdog group.

Aung Zaw Win, a USDP candidate, joined other party members and supporters on a visit to Nyaung Chaung (Khadibil) village on October 12, where a young student urged him not to make false promises during his election campaign and said that most people would not support his party, said the watchdog group.

“The young man is a first-year student at Akyab University and showed a note book and a pen (which is the symbol of The National Democratic Party for Development (NDPD)) during his conversation with Aung Zaw Win,” said a village elder, adding that the student could face problems for his remarks.

The student’s comments followed a speech made by Aung Zaw Win in which he told villagers that he would build schools, clinics, and roads, and that he would make it easier for residents to move freely in Arakan State.

Aung Zaw Win also urged villagers to secure USDP membership cards at a cost of 1,500 Kyats and said they would be useful following the election on November 7.

Later that day, Aung Zaw Win called on five villages (Kan Hpoo, Wedcha, Thanda and Alethankyaw kanyintan) near Alethankyaw village to join him and other party members at a campaign rally, where the candidate distributed mosquito nets to poor village residents, said a teacher from Alethankyaw.