Salai Kyaw Moe Tun, Chin World — While candidates running in Chin State’s Paletwa Township have been campaigning in the villages, they are weak in campaigning in the towns that have large populations, according to members of the public.
There are 97,593 people living in 19,412 households in 96 village tracts in all of Paletwa Township, according to government figures. Paletwa town has a population of 6,201 people and 1,219 households, with over 4,000 eligible voters.
“The candidates go to rural areas and do campaigns. They don’t do [campaigns] in the towns that have a large population. No party has held campaign rallies. So, the voters still don’t know who to vote for, “said Kumi youth Aik Kyaw Aung.
Although only 60,000 people will be able to vote in Paletwa Township, 38 candidates will be running in the election, including those from ten parties as well as independent candidates.
Local resident, U Mein Nga, said the number of Chin parties running in the election is more than necessary.
“There are too many Chin parties. We don’t know who to vote for. Also, from their campaign it seems like they are rallying for their own tribes so I worry about bad results,” he said.
Although candidates have been campaigning enthusiastically for the upcoming election many voters still do not know who are included on the candidate list.
Translated by Thida Linn with editing by BNI staff.
