Many quarantined to lose voting rights in pandemic-induced, messy 2020 

By Khin Tharaphy Oo 06 Nov 2020

Khin Tharaphy Oo | DMG
6 November 2020, Sittwe 

People who are placed under observation at quarantine centres in Arakan State will lose their right to vote on Election Day, November 8, according to the relevant district election subcommissions. 

“It will not be possible to go to the quarantine centres on November 8 to collect the voter list. We have been instructed to complete the voter list by November 7,” said U Htay Aung Khaing, secretary of the Kyaukphyu District election subcommission. 

The Union Election Commission (UEC) should make necessary preparations to ensure that people at the quarantine centres do not lose their right to vote during the November 8 election, U Kyaw Win Chay, information officer from the central victory committee of the Arakan National Party, pointed out. 

“Both the UEC and the government are disappointed if people at the quarantine centres are not allowed to vote, even if they are already on the voter list. It is a violation of their rights and a loss for the people,” he added. 

In addition, some people at the quarantine centres in Sittwe Township are still unable to cast their ballots in advance as the township election subcommission cannot compile the voter list for people at the quarantine centres. 

“We will liaise with the relevant ward/village election subcommissions so that people at the quarantine centres cast their votes in advance on November 7. We have to do it from the beginning, but some people don’t know how many days they have to stay at the quarantine center. That is why we are compiling the voter list on November 7,” an official from the township election subcommission explained. 

There are four quarantine centres in Sittwe Township, only six out of 21 people at Sittwe University and No. 4 high school who were diverted into quarantine centres above are eligible to vote in the election. 

As of November 6, 10 people in quarantine centres in Thandwe District and three people at a quarantine centre in Kyaukphyu District have cast their ballots in advance, according to the relevant election subcommissions. 

“To date, 10 people at the quarantine centres in Thandwe District have cast their vote. The number of voters at the quarantine centres may increase tomorrow,” said U Moe Kyaw, an officer from the district election body. 

The UEC has already announced that voters at the quarantine centres must cast their ballots in advance at the polling stations designated by the relevant township and ward/village-tract election subcommissions from October 25 to November 6.