Over 9,000 people in Arakan State to cast votes in advance

By Min Tun 09 Oct 2020

Min Tun | DMG
9 October 2020, Sittwe 

More than 9,000 people in Arakan State will cast their votes for the upcoming general election in advance, according to the state election subcommission. 

“More than 9,000 people outside their constituencies have registered to vote in advance. Advanced ballot papers have been sent to Arakan State,” said U Thurein Htut, secretary of the Arakan State election body. 

Those who have registered to vote in advance are typically outside of their constituency for a variety of reasons on Election Day, this year slated for November 8. That includes people incarcerated; attending training courses; working at hospitals; and the family members of military personnel.  

Those wishing to vote in advance were reportedly to have registered for early-vote ballots by October 10. 

There are more than 1,647,000 eligible voters in Arakan State, according to the state election subcommission.  

But for months, a lack of voter interest in the 2020 general election has been a concern, with Arakan State’s residents said to be too worried about their lives and livelihoods amid ongoing conflict and the coronavirus pandemic.  

Public interest had risen in recent weeks due to election campaigning by political parties, asserted U Aung Mya Kyaw, an Arakan National Party candidate contesting the Lower House seat for Sittwe Township. 

“As the general election draws near, public interest has risen again. People were not interested in the general election in the past. People have changed their minds as political parties have conducted election campaigns. We can see people wishing to cast a vote in the election,” he said. 

Still, political parties and their candidates have struggled to reach voters as coronavirus stay-at-home orders have prevented most in-person campaign activities.