UEC to suspend election in two townships in Shan State

UEC to suspend election in two townships in Shan State
Women and children from Holan village in Kengtung Tonwship, in the east of Shan State, scan a pamphlet distributed by the Democratic Party (Myanmar) in 2010. Photo: Mizzima

The Union Election Commission announced on Tuesday that it will not hold the 8 November election in two townships nor in several village-tracts of another two townships in Shan State on the grounds that the region lacks stability, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported on 28 October.
The UEC statement said that the election will not be held in Mongshu Township, Kehsi Township, eight village-tracts in Tangyang Township, five wards and 37 village-tracts in Namtit of Hopang Township as the situation in those areas calls into question the freedom and fairness in which the upcoming election can be held.
The Shan State Nationalities Democratic Party-SNDP requested on 19 October that the UEC suspend the election in three townships — Mongshu, Kehsi and Tangyang — in eastern Shan State due to conflict between the Tatmadaw and local armed ethnic groups. A follow-up letter from the SNDP, signed by the party’s general secretary Sai Hla Kyaw, requested that the UEC resume the election in the three townships once stability had been restored.
Locals said that they did not believe a free election was possible in their area as they are currently displaced by the fighting.