The Burmese military (the Tatmadaw) has not given a security guarantee for holding the election in the cancelled constituencies in Arakan State, said U Zaw Htay, Spokesperson of the President Office, at a press conference on January 8th.
U Zaw Htay added that “It needs to take account of voting by the IDPs in Arakan State, and provide fairness for all candidates.”
The Tatmadaw issued a statement on January 7th urging the relevant organizations to hold the election in nine townships in Arakan State and Mongkai Township in Shan State, as quickly as possible.
Similarly, the Arakan Army (AA) has called on the Union Election Commission (UEC) to hold the elections in the cancelled townships in Arakan State.
Lower House MP Daw Khin Saw Wai from Yathaedaung Township observed that “The government and the UEC are mainly responsible for the holding of special by-elections and they can decide whether or not the elections will be held. I don’t expect the election as the third parliamentary session is going to start on February 1st.”
Lawyers and political observers said the UEC is likely to hold the election before the start of the third parliamentary session however, the UEC has not revealed any information about the election re-run.
The UEC canceled the elections entirely in Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Yathaedaung, Buthedaung, Maungdaw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Myaebon and MraukU Townships. The UEC also canceled the elections partly in 15 wards and 130 village-tracts in Ann, Kyaukphyu, Taunggup and Sittwe Townships.
There are over 1,640,000 eligible voters in Arakan State. Due to the cancellation of elections in many townships of Arakan State, over 1,200,000 voters lost their voting rights, according to Arakan State Election Sub-Commission.
In the 2020 General Elections, the Arakan National Party (ANP) secured 15 seats in Arakan State, the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), eight seats, and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), two seats.
