Some people in Arakan state are not interested in the upcoming 2010 election, promised by the military regime. They believe it's hopeless for them.
The remark has been released from government servants, businessmen, laborers and college students in Sittwe and Maung Daw, after the release of election regulations by the government.
A laborer from Sittwe said there is nothing positive to hope for from the election because it cannot produce any benefits for the people. People are struggling every day for their survival.That’s why people are not interested in this election.
"We are daily workers. We have to work every day for our survival. I think our life is the worst. There is no future for us. There is no hope from the election. Therefore, we are not interested in this coming election," he said.
Ma Khaing Phyu Chay, a school teacher, said that Arakanese people don't know much about the election in Burma. Therefore, people don't show any interest.
"Even though argument and analysis over possible results for the election are spread out, many people are afraid to express their views because the military government disallows freedom of speech in Burma."
Students in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan state, have faced many difficulties with their final exams in 2009-2010 academic year, because electricity distribution is much worse than in past years.
When the election regulations were released early this month, people talked about the election at teashops and in the crowded May Yu market, located near the Law Ka Nanda Pagoda in Arakan state.
“People should not ignore the opportunity to vote and have to take the chance given by parties,” a medicine shop owner in May Yu market said.
"People have to express their wishes during the election campaign after the regulations have been issued. We don't have to ignore our chances. We have to take these chances. It won't be come again," he said.
Currently, the National Unity Party (NUP), based in Sittwe, has started campaigning in villages where Burmese-Muslim people are living. Even though the NUP gives 700 Kyat per a person to vote for the NUP party in the election, villagers have refused to accept it.
Likewise, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), which is backed by the military government, has started campaigning in Sittwe by giving 300 Kyat per person to get votes from local residents.
Even though the military junta has allowed the NLD to open its branch offices in Sandwe, and Mrauk-U townships early this month, the regime disallowed the party to open some offices which didn't have 5 committee members.
Inside and outside Burmese analysts and activists have argued the military regime's election regulations are unfair and place many limitations on opposition parties.
Burmese democracy activists abroad have said that they are against the unfair 2010 election in Burma.
However, some political parties have been preparing to contest the election.
A student from Sittwe Technological University expressed his concern that people will not be satisfied with the election results and public unrest in Burma will cause the government to close schools, colleges and universities.
"If schools are closed, students will face uncertain futures because they will have no job. They will face economic hardship when they are older. When the schools reopen, students will not be interested in education. Therefore, they will be uneducated. I'm so worried to see this happening to people," the student said.
Daw Bu Ma, a grocery shop owner, said "I'm not interested in their laws or what kind of government rules the country. The important thing is to be good at business and keeping prices down. If they want to get power, they have to do it."
She added, "Nobody is trusted. If we say that the government is no good, who will form the next government," she added.
