Mai Rupa, Nov 4, Kyaukme
The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is poised to win a State Parliament seat in Kyaukme Township uncontested, even before the junta’s election begins.
The township, recently re-secured by the junta’s military, saw no other political parties or individuals register to contest the seat.
Only two parties—the USDP and the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP)—are set to contest the People’s Hluttaw (Lower House) seats in Kyaukme and Hsipaw Townships. The USDP has already secured a State Hluttaw (State Parliament) seat in Kyaukme unopposed, due to the absence of rival candidates.
A Kyaukme resident told Shwe Phee Myay that, so far, there has been no visible campaigning activity from either party in the area.
“We haven’t seen anything about the election. No activity at all. The junta will push ahead with the vote regardless. Even if the public doesn’t participate, USDP members in Kyaukme will still cast their ballots,” he said.
He added that there’s no requirement from the Union Election Commission (UEC) for a minimum voter turnout for the election to proceed.
In the 2020 General Election, five parties—the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), National League for Democracy (NLD), Ta’ang National Party (TNP), and Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD)—contested in Kyaukme Township.
However, in the upcoming election organized by the junta, only the USDP and SNDP are contesting in that township.
However, Kyaukme and Hsipaw Townships were not included in the first or second phases of the designated election areas, indicating they are likely to be part of the third phase.
The junta’s military regained control of both townships from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in October.
The election organized by Myanmar junta is expected to be held in three phases, with the first phase scheduled for December 28, covering up to 102 townships.
Since October 28, some political parties contesting the election have begun campaigning. However, public interest in the junta’s election remains low.
Internationally, the election faces widespread rejection. The United Nations has stated that the election cannot be considered free and fair. Resistance forces have also urged the public to oppose the vote.
Translated by #KLT
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