General elections in Burma will not take place as expected by some quarters on October 10, informed sources on the border said.
A section of politicians opine that the elections can be held only after compiling the lists of eligible voters is completed in December.
In early June, Napyitaw ordered all civil servants to make lists of eligible voters from across the country, organize the lists and feed the information on government computers.
A Burmese Army officer in Shan State South’s Loilem also said, “The elections may be held in or after December.”
Another source close to the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in Shan State East’s Mongton, opposite Chiangmai, also said if the elections are a certainty on 10 October, there will be insufficient time for the political parties to campaign.
“On the one hand, it will also be difficult for the parties to campaign conveniently because the rainy season will not be over,” he said. “In addition, the parties are yet to be allowed to start campaign except the USDP.”
For instance, in Shan State East only USDP branch offices have been opened so far. No other party is reported to have arrived till date, according to a local resident in Mongton. “The USDP office is located downtown near the market.”
Its party candidate for the Lower House in Mongton is Sai Aung Kyi (45), Secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) in Mongton Township.
Sai Long (54) Secretary of USDA in Monghsat District will be the party’s candidate for the Upper House seat.
According to the junta, if there is only one party and no opponent in a constituency, there will be no elections and only its candidate will automatically be recognized as its representative.
The Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP) that will contest in 40 townships in Shan State has said that one of the party’s challenges so far is to travel in Shan State South.
“It is very difficult to travel from place to place in the east. Transportation cost is also high and it will cost a lot of money.”
The party has completed opening branch offices in almost every township in Shan State except in the south and east, he said. “Nevertheless, the party will only contest for township representatives in the east especially Mongton and Monghsat.”
According to sources, there will be five ballot boxes in each polling station: one for the Upper House, one for the Lower House, two for the state/region legislature and another one for minority people with 0.01 per cent of the total population.
During July, Chairmen of Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) would reportedly be summoned to attend workshop on election training in Naypyitaw.
“We will be able to make a better guess on the date of elections when they return,” said a source with confidence.
