Preparations for the national election, which is expected to take place in August 2023, are underway in Rakhine State, according to local residents.

On 9 January 2023, the Military Council will conduct a household population census in Rakhine State.

Approximately 6,940 volunteers from departmental offices in Rakhine State will conduct the household population check, according to a local news source.

"The household population census form 66/6 (AHtaSa) will be used for the census. The Military Council is also training volunteers to conduct the household population census,” said a local news source.

The source confirmed that the military council will conduct a household population census in the Rakhine State towns of Sittwe, Pauktaw, Mrauk U, Kyauktaw, Minpyar, Ann, Taungup, Kyauk Phyu, Yanbye, Thandwe, Gwa, and Manaung.

"On 27 December, there was a meeting at the township general administration office in Ann Township. We've heard that the Military Council is also preparing a household population census for the elections. The meeting was also attended by all of the ward administrators and village administrators,” a resident of Ann said.

The Military Council says it intends to hold elections in August 2023 using the proportional representation (PR) system rather than the previous First-Past-the-Post voting method.

The outcome of the previous 2020 election was annulled as a result of the military coup in February 2021.