The election is scheduled for November 8, 2020. But the country sees an increasing number of confirmed cases. The Covid pandemic has spread like wildfire since August. Official figures for October 27th: Confirmed cases 46,200 and Dead 1122  

The following is the interview with the teachers who will serve as the polling staff in the election.

Teacher Bauksam, a middle-level school teacher from Myitkyina Township

I will have to perform my election duty, despite feeling worried about the pandemic. We will become like health staff working for the interest of the people. If possible I would want the officials to postpone Election Day. All people are afraid to lose their life from an infection.

It would be best to give full protection to the teachers. I don’t want others to get infected and spread it to others. I am afraid of viruses.

The government has banned mass gatherings. But the government itself creates a situation for the mass gathering.  I don’t want the election to take place yet. Some teachers face difficulties as they go back to their native towns due to the shutdown of schools. It is very difficult for them to return to other regions to perform duties at the polling stations. 

Myo Dan Aung (Teacher from Myitkyina Township)

I will perform election duty although I feel so worried. This is my first time for me to serve as a polling station staff. I feel calm as the situation in Kachin State is not so severe. In the previous elections, the polling station staff had to check the NRC cards of voters only. But now the polling staff have to do more work than before. The staff needs to be equipped with other health-protective gears in addition to social distancing. It is difficult for us, as there may be a massive number of voters.

Teacher Ywal Naung (Senior Assistant Teacher from Myitkyina Township)

I will have to perform my duty as a polling staff despite being afraid. Even the systematically-trained health staff get infected. Teachers are worried about it. There should be arrangements of protective gear for teachers. The situation makes it even more difficult for teachers in remote villages.  

In practice, it is difficult to maintain a six-foot distance on the ground. Teachers from remote areas have to do quarantine. That’s why all teachers who will perform the duties must be free of the virus.

The voters should be put in a 14-day stay-home before Election Day to make sure that they are free of virus. If so the infection rate can be reduced after the election. All the teachers have no choice because they are government staff. Teachers have to perform the polling station duties in the election. I would like to urge the government to make the necessary preparations for the health care for the teachers after the election.

U Saw Moe Hlyan (school head from Waingmaw Township)

I feel worried to a certain extent as the coronavirus can spread via air. I cannot refuse as it is a staff duty and I will perform my duty. I think about what I can do for our country. We all strive for a country that is in unity and marching towards a democratic path.

The UEC is preparing to build hand-washing stations, security and advance voting for the elderly. They had better arrange an advance vote, as there was a large crowd of voters in 2015. They need to maintain a minimum six-foot social distancing. It needs to assign ward and village administrators for supervision.

Daw Aye Thanda Aung (Junior Assistant Teacher from Myitkyina Township)

I will have to perform the duties assigned by the government. We need to carry out it in conformity with the rules and regulations issued by The Ministry of Health and Sports. That is why I will start learning preventive measures so that I will not get infected and others will not get infected from me.