USDP says no complaints with election in Arakan State

By Khin Tharaphy Oo 12 Dec 2020

Khin Tharaphy Oo | DMG
12 December 2020, Sittwe

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has no plans to file complaints about the November 8 election results in Arakan State, according to the state USDP chairman, Dr. San Shwe.

While the party formed and led by ex-military leaders has lodged complaints with the Union Election Commission (UEC) concerning alleged electoral malpractice and fraud in other regions and states, it said it would not file complaints contesting the outcome of voting in Arakan State.

“Firstly, we must have strong evidence [to file complaints]. Secondly, the parties that won the majority [of seats in Arakan State] are our ethnic Arakan parties. Considering these things, we did not file complaints,” said Dr. San Shwe.

In Myanmar’s 2015 general election, the Arakan State USDP filed complaints accusing rival candidates in Ramree, Ann and Myebon townships, as well as for the state’s Chin ethnic affairs minister post, of electoral violations. The Arakan National Party (ANP) won the majority of seats in the 2015 election, and won the most seats in this year’s vote too.

At a USDP press conference in Naypyitaw on Friday, party leaders said they have evidence that the 2020 general election was neither transparent nor fair.

In Arakan State on November 8, the ANP won 15 seats, the National League for Democracy (NLD) won eight, the Arakan Front Party (AFP) won three and the USDP won two.

The USDP fielded 27 candidates this year — five for the Upper House, eight for the Lower House and 14 for the Arakan State Parliament — but secured just two seats in the state legislature.