The election sub-commission is unable to hold the election in the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs)-controlled areas in seven townships in Kawkareik District of Karen State U Htay Aung, Chair of Kawkareik District Election Sub-Commission reported on September 14h.
“The situation in Kawkareik has remained unchanged since 2015.
“There will be no election in our village. The commission doesn’t allow holding the election as there is no government-appointed administrator,” said Mann Mya Aye, the administrator of Ywartanshae village-tract in Kawkareik Township, who is appointed by the Karen National Union (KNU) that exercises governance in rebel-controlled areas.
“The election cannot be held in Pyaungmahtein in Kyarinseikgyi townships. But the voters are allowed to cast their votes in the places where the polling stations open.” U Htay Aung added. The sub-commission will open 123 polling stations in Kawkareik Township and 120 in Kyarinseikgyi Township, according to the district sub-commission.
The political parties will be allowed to do canvassing in Kawkareik and Kyarinseikgyi Townships included in the Dooplaya District controlled by the KNU Brigade-6, in accord with the COVID-19 preventive measures, according to a statement issued by the KNU issued on September 7.
The Karen National Democratic Party (KNDP), the National League for Democracy (NLD), the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the Union Betterment Party (UBP), the United Democratic Party and the Mon Unity Party will run for all seats in Kawkareik District.
In addition, independent candidates will compete in the upcoming election.
