San Maung Than — The chairmen of Ward and Village Election Commissions have rejected the appointment of polling station representatives by township candidates in some village tracts in the Arakan State’s Ann Township.
“According to latest situation, we are facing rejections from the chairmen of Village Commissions by giving various reasons. Some of the chairmen don’t even live in the village and are avoiding us,” said U Kyaw Than Hlaing from the Arakan National Party, who is running for the Lower House seat from Ann Township.
These incidents are now taking place in Taung Phalar Village Tract, Nyaung Chaung Village Tract, and Thabyuchaing village of Kyaukmyaung Village Tract in Ann Township.
“When the villagers from Taung Phalar Village Tract contacted the Township Election Commission via phone, the Commission officials promised to handle it, but nothing has happened as of 8 am today (Monday) which is the deadline for appointing polling station representatives. I’m planning to go to the town and meet with the Township Commission’s chairman,” said U Kyaw Than Hlaing.
When contacted by BNI Newsroom, U Thurein Htut, an officer from the Arakan State Election Sub-commission’s office said “we have issued identity cards for polling station representatives appointed by the candidates. They can take these cards at the Township Commissions. Nobody can reject them if they go the polling stations after wearing these cards around their necks.”
U Kyaw Than Hlaing said some villages in Ann Township have been urged not to vote for the ANP. Some village have even reported receiving threats that their children will become unemployed if they vote for the ANP. ANP party signboards have also been destroyed in Arakan State.
