Elections in Burma conducted on the basis of townships could mire candidates contesting the 7 November polls in trouble, according to election observers on the Sino-Burma border.

The military junta’s elections will not be based on population, but on townships.

Some candidates in Shan state have expressed concern that the proposed formation may pit them against twofold challenges as the population in some areas and townships are not balanced, an election watcher on the Sino-Burma border said.

For instance, each of the two constituencies of Shan State North’s Muse Township is to have 27 polling stations. One of its constituencies is in the western part of the township and the other is in the eastern part. But it is learnt that the there is an imbalance in population.

“Population in the west is larger and dense in contrast to the east,” according to a local Muse resident. “In addition, most people in the east don’t have Identity Cards.”

“Under the circumstance, it is likely there may be ghost ballots,” a businessman predicted.

The Kachin News Group (KNG) reported on 15 September that in Kachin State and Shan State, the military backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is using local militia groups to garner votes for the party. Muse district alone hosts more than 10 local militia groups.

“Now, the militia groups in Northern Shan State are pushing people and saying ‘Everyone must vote for the junta-backed USDP’,” it said.

In accordance with the Union Election Commission announcement, there will be two constituencies in each township, particularly for the state legislature, which elects two representatives per township. There are 330 townships in Burma. Of them 55 townships are in Shan State. But 15 have been formed into self-administered region/zones: Wa, PaO, Palaung, Danu and Kokang.

According to Richard Horsey, independent analyst and former ILO liaison officer in Burma, a total of 176 seats will be contested in Shan State’s 55 townships:

* Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives)   -   55  seats

* Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities)     -   12 seats (five reserved for five self administered areas: Wa, PaO, Palaung, Danu and Kokang)

* State Hluttaw (State Legislature)                 -   109 seats (minus eight  seats for four  townships under Wa control, but plus seven seats for minorities each with a population of over 59,000)

The Election Commission meanwhile has issued an announcement that parts of 32 townships, including 12 in Shan State, will be unable to hold elections. The 12 included five townships controlled by the Wa and Mongla ceasefire groups that have turned down Naypyitaw’s demand to disarm.