U Khaing Kaung San, a leading member of the Arakan Election Monitoring and Observation Consortium said: “The Arakan election is unfair. There is no internet access in nine townships of northern Arakan State. We see the election as unfair as Arakan State is deprived of the rights enjoyed by other regions and states. “

He elaborated “ Due to the internet shutdown, political parties and candidates are unable to do canvassing via social media. Candidates from the whole country are doing canvassing via social media. At the same time, the people in nine townships of Arakan State do not have no equal rights. That’s why, I say this election is unfair,” he told a press conference on November 4.

On October 16th the UEC announced that elections would be canceled entirely in Pauktaw, Ponnagyn, Yathaedaung, Buthedaung, Maungdaw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Myaebon and MraukU Townships and partially in 15 wards and 137 village-tracts in Ann, Kyaukphyu, Taunggup and Sittwe Townships as it was claimed they were not in a position to hold a free and fair election.

There are over 1,640,000 eligible voters in Arakan State. Due to the cancellation of elections, more than 1,200,000 voters -75% of eligible voters will lose their voting rights, according to the Arakan State Election Sub-Commission.

U Soe Thein, a candidate from the ALD in Ann Township said: “Due to security factors the elections cannot be held in the conflict-torn areas. In Ann Township, there is only one village-tract where fighting is taking place. There is no fighting in other areas. Candidates and the people have no chance to know who reported insecurity in the township. We have spent money on the election campaign. Voters also lose their right to cast a ballot. This is not a fair election.”

Daw Aye Nu Sein, a spokesperson of the Arakan National Party (ANP) said: “The election in Arakan State will not be free and fair as around only 25 percent of voters will be allowed to cast their votes. Ann and Kyaukphyu Townships which were previously excluded from the canceled lists are the military-based areas. On October 27, the UEC announced that the free and fair elections would be held in four village-tracts in Ann Township and three village-tracts in Kyaukphyu Township in Arakan State according to the recommendation by the relevant election sub-commission and ministries. It shows that the election procedures and processes are done by the Union Election Commission during five years are questionable and need to be criticized.”

The UEC has to decide it after seeking advice from the Union government, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs and relevant election sub-commission.

U Zaw Htay, the spokesperson of the President Office said at a press conference on November 4 that the pre-determination of an unfair election is not accurate.