Candidates from ethnic-based parties in Arakan State are deeply suspicious about a mysterious shooting incident that recently shattered the peace and calm in Pauktaw Township, that has been subject of a controversial election cancellation order by the UEC (the Union Election Commission).
Candidates from Pauktaw Township sent a letter to the UEC to review the canceled constituencies. Why has Pauktaw Township, with no record of fighting prior to this one single incident, been included by the UEC (The Elections Commission) in the list of nine canceled townships in Arakan State? It is also strange that Pauktaw Township was not included in the revised lists released by the UEC on October 27th. The UEC has not proffered any explanation.
U Aye Tha Aung, a candidate from Arakan Front Party (AFP) in Pauktaw Township said: “I feel worried about the election. The people are ready to cast their ballots. “
On October 29th, nine villagers from Pauktaw and Minbya Townships were injured due to a shooting incident in Pauktaw Township. The victims have been sent to Pauktaw, Minbya and Sittwe Hospitals.
U Aye Tha Aung commented “I don’t know what to say about such a coincidence in such a crucial time. I am suspicious about it. This shooting will become a justification for the UEC. Whether it is a genuine conflict, or it is just manufactured to create alarm in such a peaceful place.?"
U Aung Kyaw Htwe, a candidate from the Arakan National Party (ANP) of Constituency-2 in Pauktaw Township said: “the UEC says the election cannot be held in Pauktaw under the pretext that it is not in a position to hold a free and fair election. Now the military have expanded their area of operations “suggesting the Burmese army were behind the shooting incident."
Maung Su Hlaing, a local teacher from Pauktaw Township said: “There was no problem in Pauktaw when the UEC announced the cancellation in Paukaw. The shooting and injuries in Pauktaw amount to a deliberate move to bring Pauktaw Township into the conflict zone to validate the UEC’s ruling.”
The cancellation of the election disenfranchised over 197,000 voters in Pauktaw Township, according to the figures from the Township Election Sub-Commission.
