Q: How interested is the Karenni public in this election?

A: The public still lack interest with this election. Both the town and village residents have a lack of interest. When we urged them to check the final voter list on September 27th, they did go there but less than 50 percent came to check the voter list.

Regarding the hill station towns, it was less than 50 percent. The situation is much worse in the villages. The voter list was posted at the home of the village tract chairman. The distance from one village to another is far in Karenni State so they have difficulties in coming to check the voter list. Mostly, you can say they lack interest.

Q: Do you think this election will be fair?

A: In my opinion, the election is still lacking. The KNPP (Karenni National Progressive Party) isn’t going to sign the NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) so I’m a little worried about whether this will affect the upcoming election.

I believe the election will be fair if there is peace in our land. But if they use the KNPP not signing the NCA as a reason and say that this area lacks security and stability, there may be some difficulties for our area in the election.

I can’t comment on fairness. This depends on the situation in the area, for example, the places where skirmishes have taken place. As you know, I’m a little worried that it would become like what happened back in 2010.

Q: Do you have an exact voter list for the military?

A: We don’t know the military voter list exactly. We still don’t have the right to know it. If we want to know the exact list, I think we can find out if we go and ask the Election Commission. We know the rest of the list except those from the military.

Q: What reforms need to be implemented first for the development of Karenni State?

A: Everything needs to be reformed starting from the administration – this government, people, and principle. Frankly speaking, our state will only develop if we can reform everything starting from the constitution.

Q: Are you satisfied with the activities carried out by this state government and state parliament?

A: I believe everybody knows this. Other states and regions can carry out 75 percent [of the activities] in this country. In our state, the state government can only carry out five percent so the results have come out. So, whether or not our state government does their work…..there’s a big gap compared to other states and regions.

Q: Your association has visited many areas, so which party do you think is more powerful in its campaign and which party is facing challenges?

A: We have seen parties campaigning in respective villages in their own ways. But, some of the powerful parties can give out [gifts] so there will be a difference in public opinion. We still can’t decide which party is powerful and which is not. But, the powerful party is powerful in its own way while the ethnic parties in this area have their own mates.

Q: Does the public know how many parties are running in the Karenni State?

A: I don’t think so because when we conduct our educational courses, many of them still don’t know the parties and candidates.

Q: Your program includes a question and answer session on election knowledge so how many people can answer the questions you have asked them?

A: Some can really answer. Maybe it’s because they live close to the town. Many of them have given correct answers. The people from the villages are a little wrong. Villages close to the town answered correctly while those far from the town are still a little wrong.

Q: What kind of plans have you made to monitor the election?

A: The commission asked those wanting to monitor the election to register officially. I don’t have any plan but some groups are doing it now. A group called Darna Shae Saung is doing it.

Q: How many times have you given the educational program?

A: In our election education program, we first gave the training to those that are going to give the educational training and our staff. Second, we gave TOT (Trainer of Training) to young people from our four target areas.
Now, we are educating the villagers about how to vote and explaining about invalid and valid votes. We are currently doing that at the village level. This program is conduct at the market since there are many people there. We plan to carry out the same program in other villages.

Q: What other townships in Karenni State still lack voter education for the election?

A: Frankly speaking, the whole state needs it. We can only conduct this in four target areas. In Hpruso, the LDN (Local Development Network) can only conduct [education] in its target areas. I haven’t found such kind of voter education being given in the other towns like Bawlakhe and Hpasawng. Loikaw and Demoso residents may know as much as they should but the rest of the townships may still lack [voter education].

Q: How many groups are giving voter education?

A: As far as I know, the UKSY (the Union Karenni State Youth), Law Home, and the LDN (Local Development Network) have been giving voter education.

Q: What kind of knowledge does the public need right now?

A: At the moment, the public needs to know how to vote. Second, they need to know about the candidates they are voting for and the parties. Only then, can they select the person who will represent them.

Q: What else do you want to add about this election?

A: The CBOs (community-based organizations) and CSOs (civil society organizations) and respective election commissions need to give more vote education before this election.