The KIA’s Colonel Naw Bu (the Kachin Independence Army) told BNI they will not allow the election campaign inside its controlled areas as it stands opposed to the 2008 Constitution.

In Myanmar, the upcoming election is the third one held under the 2008 Constitution.

Colonel Naw Bu added. “There is no reason to accept the election as we have shown opposition to the constitution since the beginning.” Even if either the government or the Union Election Commission (UEC) negotiates with the KIA he said I would make no difference.

The KIA has no plan to disrupt or demonstrate against the election. The election can be held freely in other places, apart from the KIA-controlled areas, he added.

Many Kachin people are taking shelter at the IDP camps in the KIA-controlled areas. The KIA will not bar the people at the IDP camps from casting their votes in their regions.

Due to Section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Association Act, the IDPs in the KIO-controlled areas find it difficult to cast their ballots in their regions.

U Aung Kha from the Kachin State People’s Party (KSPP) said: “As for me, I want votes from the IDP camps located in the KIA-controlled areas. I want to help the IDPs to cast their votes. It would be better if the Union Election Commission helps the IDPs in the KIA-controlled areas, to obtain their voting rights in cooperation with the parties. Until now, the commission has not given any direction.”

He is also concerned that even if the KIA allows them to cast their ballots, they could be arrested by authorities near the polling station

There are more than 1,080,000 eligible voters in Kachin State for the 2020 General Elections. In 2015, Kachin State had more than 800,000 eligible voters.

U Tun Aung Khaing from Kachin State Election Sub-Commission said: “The election sub-commission will open more than 889 polling stations in Kachin State. The commission is unable to open polling stations in around 193 villages due to the security concern and the lack of people in the abandoned village-tracts.”