Arakan National Party (ANP) general secretary Khaing Pyi Soe told The Daily Eleven that he would not be able to attend the coordination meeting to be held by the newly-formed Union Election Commission on May 21 for his health reasons. 

Some political parties said they would not attend the UEC’s second coordination meeting. But the ANP will not show up due to the health condition of its representative.  

“Our chairman is away on a trip. He has assigned me to attend. But I am in poor health. I have even bought a plane ticket. I won’t be able to attend because of my health condition,” said Khaing Pyi Soe. 

The ANP however attended the first coordination meeting on February 24.  

“Political parties have to be mainly involved with the election commission. So, we went to the first meeting. We were also preparing to attend the second meeting. But for several reasons including health conditions, we will not be able to attend. I want to say so, he added. 

 He said the UEC had been informed through Rakhine State Election Sub-commission about his party’s inability to attend the meeting.  

Arakan Front Party, another Rakhine party, would be attending the meeting, party vice chair Kyaw Zin Oo told The Daily Eleven.  

The first coordination meeting took place between the UEC led by chairman Thein Soe and political parties in Nay Pyi Taw on February 24. A total of 53 parties including ANP and AFP but 38 other parties did not show up. 

During a press conference on May 15, UEC member Khin Maung Oo said 91 out of 93 parties except the two suspended parties had been invited to attend the second meeting. 

The second meeting will discuss the adoption of proportional representation (PR) and amendment to the election laws and rules.