34 political parties are calling for the postponement of the November 8 Election due to the daily spike of COVID-19 cases across the nation. But other parties are concerned about the political problems that they claim could arise if the election is postponed. They want the election to be held as planned. The following are views of CSOs in Kayah State on the election during the COVID-19 period. So far there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kayah State.
Ko Kyaw Htin Aung, LAIN Technical Assistance Group
The election can legally be postponed for up to 6 weeks. The Union Election Commission (UEC) needs to think about the fact that nothing is more important than human lives. Other things can be rebuilt. I think the election should be postponed if the UEC concludes the election will be putting lives at risk.
In Kayah State the parties, the ruling party and the wealthy parties have more advantages. The big parties have more advantages than other small ethnic parties as they can spend money on social media. I think the holding of the election during the COVID-19 period will not be fair.
Banyar (Karenni Human Rights Organization)
The situation is worrying about this general election. The UEC needs to draft a systematic plan for the COVID-19. The UEC alone is not in a position to implement it. The UEC needs to adopt the frameworks for each region through coordination between the governmental departments, CSOs, parties and the UEC. If the election is held as planned, there may be difficulties and fraud. The 2020 General Election could end up as just a window-dressing exercise.
Saw Lae Kalu, member of Karenni State Ethnic Youths Leading Committee
The worrying point with the 2020 General Election is fraud driven by COVID-19. I believe there is a mountain of errors with voters’ names. I am concerned about voter fraud.
Ma Aldi Nar, Kayah State Peace Supporter
The public needs to choose the best party in the 2020 General Election, after reviewing the elected leaders from the previous election. But I am worried the people may face a COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when they go to the polling booths to cast their vote.
