Maungdaw: The proxy political party of the Burmese military junta, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), has been reportedly campaigning for Muslim votes with the slogan, "For Freedom of Muslims, Vote USDP," in western Burma's Arakan State.

The USDP recently started campaigning among voters holding processions and rallies, shouting slogans promising Muslims' freedom across the majority-Muslim Maungdaw Township, said local residents.

"They were led by their most influential candidate, Zakir Ahmed, in processions here in downtown Maungdaw on 5 and 6 October, shouting slogans, 'For Freedom of Muslims, Vote USDP', 'Vote Muslim Raza Zakir Ahmed', and 'Zakir Ahmed, the Raza of Muslims', in Chittagonian Bengali dialect with enthusiastic clapping," a resident of Ward 4 told Narinjara. "They are continuing their village to village campaigns in rural areas in a similar manner, as well," they added.

Zakir Ahmed, AKA Aung Zaw Win was decked in colourful garlands and stood in his open-roofed Pajero, while being followed by nearly 400 party members on foot and in 10 jeeps with the party's banners and flags during the procession through the main streets of the town, said the resident.

The party's processions, according to the source, caused traffic jams, including on Bogyoke Street in Maungdaw where the District Election Commission office is located.

They have also been distributing pamphlets outlining their party's policies and objectives, as well as posters listing the candidates' names with the slogan, "USDP, the only party that will bring stability and development to the state", to local residents during their campaign processions and rallies.

The USDP has nominated Zakir Ahmed as the candidate for the People's Assembly, Zayed Rahman, AKA Htay Win, and Mya Aung for the National Assembly, as well as Zahim Vir, AKA Aung Myo Min, and Maung Tha Khin for the State Assembly in Maungdaw constituencies for the ensuing election.

The source stated that the National Development and Democratic Party (NDDP), which was formed by prominent Muslim leaders, will be the main rival of the regime-backed USDP in Maungdaw.

The NDDP is also fielding the same number of candidates in the area as the USDP. NDDP candidates include Nurul Haque for the People's Assembly, Toyub Uddin and Soe Win, AKA Haji Sayadul Rahman, for the National Assembly, Soe Myint, AKA Sekha Ali, and Khin Maung Myint, AKA Anayat Ullah, for the State Assembly.

According to a source close to the NDDP, the party has been enduring threats and disturbances by USDP members. USDP members have in particular been instigating minor clashes with the NDDP members during their campaign activities.

Despite complaints to the Township Election Commission, no action has yet been taken to reign in the USDP members who have been bullying NDDP members, said the source.

A member of the National Human Rights Party, which won four seats in the 1990 election in Maungdaw District, said that the USDP's talk of freedom in their slogans is an empty promise, and nothing more than an attempt to garner votes from the community.

"It is nothing but wooing the Muslims, who have been confined under various restrictions and rights violations for decades in the small area in northern Arakan," he said on condition of anonymity.

"I have been witnessing the USDP use all possible means to get votes, mostly flouting the electoral laws and forcing people to join their party, while also bullying other parties in this area. We have to wait and see if the people have enough freedom to vote for the party of their choice," he added.