Khumi group calls on military, AA to end hostilities in Paletwa ahead of election

07 Sep 2020

Min Tun | DMG
7 September, Sittwe 

The Khumi Affairs Coordination Council (KACC) has called on the military and the Arakan Army to end their hostilities in Paletwa Township, Chin State, to allow for the holding of the 2020 general election there.

Salai Saw Mya, vice chair of the KACC, said if the conflict led to the scrapping of elections in Paletwa, township residents’ parliamentary representation would be sacrificed.

“Many people in Paletwa Township are facing livelihood hardships as military conflicts have been ongoing for years. In addition, the number of camps for internally displaced people has risen significantly. We won’t have candidates representing our area if the election will not be held in Paletwa Township,” he said. 

“We will suffer grievances. This is the reason why we released the statement.”

The KACC released its statement on September 7, about two months ahead of Myanmar’s November 8 general election.

According to the Chin State government, peace and stability have been restored to Paletwa Township, with a full week having passed without any hostilities between the military and Arakan Army in the township.

The KACC also urged the Chin State government to put in place the security measures necessary to successfully hold the general election in Paletwa Township.

The Chin State government has been in contact with its Union counterpart to discuss holding the upcoming vote in Paletwa Township, said U Soe Htet, a state government spokesperson.

“The government needs to coordinate security measures to hold the election in Paletwa Township. If not, we would likely face many difficulties,” said U Soe Htet, who is also Chin State’s Municipal Affairs minister. 

“The local government presented a plan to the Union government to hold the election in Paletwa Township. We need to talk about security measures with the Union government office, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence.”

Any decision to postpone the nationwide vote due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as determinations on cancelled constituencies, will be made in October, the UEC said last week.