According to sources, Arakan National Party (ANP) attempted to conduct campaigns within Thandwe Township, Rakhine State but were not allowed to come to shore in Gwa and Thandwe towns on October 26 and 27 respectively.
The campaign group left via a boat from Sittwe to Gwa Township on October 24th.
Amyothar Hluttaw (upper house) candidate U Tin Nyo from the ANP said, “Since Sittwe was a COVID-19 area, we have anchored 6 feet away from shore avoid coming into contact with each other.”
Songs were sung by artists from on top of the boat, with many people coming to shore to cheer them on.
“We arrived in Gwa first. We were allowed near the shore but we couldn’t disembark. For Thandwe, we weren’t allowed to even anchor at the shore at Kan Thar Yar so we campaigned while singers entertained from afar. We couldn't do anything in Gyatetaw (Thandwe). COVID was given as the reason for barring us from coming to shore and campaigning for votes. But in Sin Khaung Village, we were allowed to campaign and entertain from afar although we weren’t allowed on land. The locals kindly came near us with boats and gave us drinks. It was all well-within regulations. We are heading towards Taungup Township now,” said U Than Naing, a candidate from Yathaedaung Township for the state parliament.
U Than Naing said that they have nothing to say if it is all part of the law but pointed out that all on board the boat had received checks from the health ministry but some did not bring their certificates with them.
According to sources, the committee responsible for control and urgent action for COVID-19 affairs as well as local authorities in Thandwe Township barred the boat from disembarking and banned residents from gathering, which led to cancelation of campaigning plans there.
ANP’s campaign boat is now en route to Taungup Township and onwards to the southern townships to continue their campaign.
