Seven Chin ethnic organizations issued a statement on 14 October, expressing their concern over the possible scrapping of the election in Paletwa Township in Chin State due to the ongoing armed conflicts between the Myanmar army (Tatmadaw) and the Arakan Army (AA).
Since 2015, there has been fighting between the Myanmar army (Tatmadaw)) and the AA in Paletwa Township in southern Chin State. The ongoing armed conflicts may have negative impacts on the election, and the CSOs and local people are afraid that the UEC declares Paletwa as a danger zone where no election can take place.
Ko Saw Mya, spokesperson of the Khumi Affairs Coordination Council (KACC) “Our representation will disappear if the election fails to include Paletwa Township. About one-fifth of Chin’s population is included in Paletwa Township. The Paletwa Township has the highest number of voters in Chin State with 62,845 voters, according to the second round display of voters’ list. The representation of the one-fifth population will disappear. The fighting has exacerbated the problem. If the region has no-one to represent them in parliament, then the public's trust in the government will decline. Locals will [TF1] not forget that they were excluded from the election process.”
The CSOs commented on the importance of an election, the flourishing of democracy and the opportunity for the public to demand their rights. A total of 24 candidates from six political parties have registered to compete in five constituencies in Palatka Township.
Ko Saw Mya said: “The AA is active in our place. We cannot do election canvassing and voter education.”
They have earnestly called on the armed organizations to avoid restrictions, rampant arrests of civilians and threats to the election in order that the candidates can do their canvassing freely and voters can cast their votes independently and freely.
They have urged the Union government to make necessary preparations for the success of the election in Paletwa Township and the Union Election Commission (UEC) and relevant election sub-commission, to systematically arrange the electoral processes in accordance with the relevant laws.
