Mizzima-Sept 17
The junta’s Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on 14 September that elections will not be held in 121 townships across Myanmar in the upcoming December general election. Notably absent from this list are three districts and one township in southern Rakhine State, all under the control of the Arakan Army (AA). According to the UEC’s statement, the no-election zones cover four townships in Kachin State, three in Karenni (Kayah) State, four in Chin State, ten in Sagaing Region, five in Magway Region, three in Mandalay Region, ten in Rakhine State, and seventeen in Shan State. These areas are largely controlled by ethnic armed organizations, the People’s Defence Force (PDF), and allied groups. The UEC justified its decision by citing unsuitable conditions for free and fair elections in these townships. The commission specified that 56 Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) constituencies, nine Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities) constituencies under the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, and 56 State/Regional Hluttaw constituencies under FPTP will not hold elections. Yet, southern Rakhine’s Thandwe District, Taungup District, Ann District, and Gwa Township – all under AA control – were not included in the no-election list. Sources in Rakhine State report ongoing major military offensives by the junta against the AA, with intense clashes disrupting the region. Analysts speculate that the junta may be aiming to seize these areas before the election period begins. The Arakan Army currently controls 14 towns in Rakhine State and is actively attempting to capture remaining key towns such as Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung. Read more at:
