The All Arakan Students’ & Youths’  Congress (AASYC) is carrying out a campaign in Sittwe township Rakhine State, to distribute information encouraging people to oppose the Military Council -organized elections.

Starting on March 31st, AASYC has been sending anti-election SMS messages to people in Rakhine via mobile phones. Since April 2nd, they have been pasting anti- election leaflets on benches along Shu Khin Thar Road in Sittwe Township, as well as scattering these leaflets on the streets.

“The Myanmar Military is attempting to hold a sham election with the intent of prolonging the dictatorship based on the 2008 constitution, while desperately seeking to legitimize their regime. ”, sent via SMS messages.

The leaflets distributed by AASYC also warned Rakhine people and political parties to exercise caution, as past Myanmar Military Juntas have been known to incite ethnic and religious tensions between Rakhine and Muslim communities during periods of political transition, then exploited these rifts for their own political gain. Their Junta rule has always implemented a “Divide-and-Conquer” governance approach to maintain their hold on power.

AASYC also emphasized that the forthcoming 2023 election is unlikely to provide solutions to the various political, social, economic, and regional development issues currently faced by the Rakhine people. Furthermore the election is not expected to resolve the ongoing armed conflict or grant the Rakhine people the political autonomy they desire.

However, five political parties, namely the Arakan National Party (ANP) led by U Thar Htun Hla, the Arakan Front Party (AFP) led by Doctor Aye Maung, the Kha Mee National Development Party (KMNDP), the Rakhine State National Unity Party (RSNUP), and the Mro Ethnic Party, have submitted applications for re-registration to the Rakhine State Election Commission, which was established by the Military Council.