Political parties and lawmakers have called on the Union Election Commission (UEC) to urgently announce the lists of excluded townships in Arakan State, where the election cannot be held.
Daw Khin Saw Wai, Lower House MP from Yathaedaung Township has called on the UEC to release the list of these townships as quickly as possible. The election is unlikely to take place in some townships in Arakan State due to security concerns. The UEC has said it will release the lists of excluded townships during October.
“Due to COVID-19, we face transportation difficulties. We have to spend too much money on vinyl and pamphlets. we want to know it in a hurry. Our time and energy will be wasted if we only find out the date when the election is very close,” said the MP added.
The MP’s position is echoed by U Aung Mya Kyaw, Secretary of the Arakan National Party (ANP) which will compete in all townships except Arakan State Parliament-2 in Kyaukphyu Township in Arakan State, said: “I worry about a delay in the release of the skipped townships. The reason is the candidates from the ANP have registered to run for the seats in 17 townships. The party will lose many things as it has to spend money on the election campaign. That’s why the UEC urgently needs to release the lists of skipped townships.”
Though BNI news tried to query the exact date for the announcement of skipped townships, no reply was received from the UEC.
U Maung Win Soe, a candidate from No.1 Constituency in Minbya Township from the Arakan Front Party (AFP) said: “It is difficult as I don’t know whether the election will be held in our township or not. I heard the news that the election is likely to be skipped in the northern Arakan State. If so, it is sure that Minbya Township will skip the election. Skipping of the election will cost us a lot of money.”
Since December 2018, there have been frequent clashes between the Tatmadaw (Burmese army) and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in Chin State.
Some people are concerned that the November 8 election may not take place here owing to the ongoing war and wonder why the government has not done more to arrange a ceasefire to ensure a peaceful election period.
