San Maung Than — Arakan State election observation groups admitted they won’t be able to observe all of the polling stations. Partly due to funding shortfalls, there simply aren’t enough personnel to cover the whole of Myanmar’s western state: 8 groups will be observing the election proceedings.
“Phandee Eain Group has over seventy-people to observe seventeen townships in Arakan State; we won’t be able to cover the entire state. Two will observe each polling station. They can only observe 3 to 4 polling stations in each township,” said Ma Phyu Hnin Wai from Arakan Youth New Generation Group.
Should any emergencies arise; the designated observers will have direct contact with outside personnel. Contact numbers have been provided, and coordinators have been tasked for receiving distress calls. Additionally, a Viber group (online messaging service) has been created to assist with communication between election observers and coordinators.
Special attention will be paid to Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Sittwe, Mrauk U, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Pauktaw, and Ponnyakyun Townships; some of which were affected by communal violence in recent years.
“The information collected by the observers will be submitted to coordinator(s) at the end of the election period. All of the data from the whole of Arakan State will be collected and sent to Phandee Eain,” explained Ma Phyu Hnin Wai.
Among the 8 election observation groups in Arakan State, only Wun Latt Foundation is a locally-based organization. The foundation, which is sending eighty-seven observers, have promised to do their best, but with limited personnel from all the groups combined, it’s unknown how things will actually play out on Election Day.
“Our observation groups will not cover the entire Arakan State. We only have the budget to observe 200 polling stations of over 2,400 polling stations in the whole Arakan State,” said Khine Kaung San, director of Wun Latt Foundation.
Additionally, the National Youth Congress has stepped up to the plate assigning 4 observers for each township.
Periodical announcements will be made throughout the election until candidates are sworn into Parliament.
According to Ko Myo Min Tun, a report to be issued after the elections will include national results as well as covering Arakan State.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff
