Border News Agency
Sittwe, August 11.
On August 11, the Arakan Army (AA) confirmed that it will not allow elections supervised by the military commission in any of the territories under its control.
At the ULA/AA’s 10th press conference, the AA officially stated its stance on the elections to be held under the military commission.
“Even if elections can be held in areas controlled by the military junta, there will be no permission to hold elections in the areas under our control. This is because the elections conducted continuously by the Burmese government in Rakhine State have never benefited the Rakhine people. It is clear that not a single Rakhine person is interested in these elections,” said Khine Thu Kha, spokesperson for the Arakan Army (AA).
In the ongoing Arakan conflict, the Arakan Army (AA) has fully captured 15 townships, including the Paletwa area, and is administering these areas as the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
The military commission controls only three townships: Sittwe, Kyaukphru, and Manaung. However, in Kyaukphru Township, clashes between the military commission forces and the Arakan Army continue, and in Sittwe Township, fighting remains tense between both sides.
Although the military commission has announced that elections will be held this December, people say the elections will only be possible in urban areas like Sittwe and Kyaukphru, including Manaung Township.
However, civilians show little interest in the elections organized by the military commission, and political parties participating are said to lack adequate security guarantees.
“Elections must be based on the support of the people. Elections without the backing of the public cannot benefit the people and will only lead to more chaos. The Rakhine people are also not interested in these elections,” said Khine Thu Kha, spokesperson for the Arakan Army (AA).
Although six Rakhine-based parties, including the Arakan Front Party (AFP) led by former Arakan National Party (ANP) chairman Dr. Aye Maung Oo, are registered, the people say these parties do not truly represent the public.
Under the military commission, several parties have been authorized to form, including the Rakhine State National Unity Party (RSNUP), Khami National Development Party, Myo National Party, Myo National Development Party (MNDP), and the Rakhine National Party (RNP) led by former Kyaukphru MP U Ba Shein, who is affiliated with the Arakan National Party (ANP).
