Ann and Taungup designated as districts

By DMG 08 Mar 2022

DMG Newsroom
8 March 2022, Sittwe

Arakan State is gaining an additional two districts, according to a spokesman for the state’s military government, U Hla Thein, who told reporters on March 8 that Ann and Taungup would be elevated to district-level jurisdictions.

Ann District includes Ann and Myebon townships, while Taungup District consists of Taungup and Manaung townships, he said.

“There were five districts in Arakan State in the past: Sittwe, Mrauk-U, Thandwe, Kyaukphyu and Maungdaw. Currently, two districts have been added to bring the total to seven districts in Arakan State,” he said.

“According to the Constitution, the Arakan State chief minister must propose the designation of Ann and Taungup as districts,” he added. “District-level departments can be formed only with the approval of the expansion of the two townships into districts.”

The junta appointed Aung Kyaw Min as Arakan State chief minister to replace U Nyi Pu, who was jailed along with many other members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) administration following the military’s coup on February 1, 2021.

Ko Zaw Min, a resident of Ann town, said he welcomed the designation of Ann as a district, anticipating that locals will reap the benefits of resultant infrastructure development.

“It is good to designate Ann as a district-level [jurisdiction],” said Ko Myo Lwin, another resident of Ann town, while adding: “If Ann Township is to be district-level for political gain, it will not be a good result. While the regime is trying to use the PR [proportional representation] system, Ann is also a stronghold of military bases, so it is safe to say the military-dominated areas are being politically exploited.”

New districts are also reportedly being formed in some other states and regions, after the military junta earlier this year signalled its intention to hold elections in 2023 based on proportional representation instead of the current first-past-the-post system.