TAUNGGYI------Three candidates from Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) submitted a report calling for holding of upcoming elections in the abolished area of Mong Kung Township, Shan State, to the Loiling District Election Commission yesterday.
A letter was signed by 11,238 locals and it was sent to the Loiling District Election Commission via Mong Kung Township Election Commission.
Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on October 16th that elections will not take place in six townships in Shan State, citing the impossibility to hold a free and fair election as the reason.
The six Townships are Mongla, Pangkham, Namhkam, Mongmaw, Pangwaun, Mong Kung, 12 village tracts in Kyaukme, Seikphu village tract in Naungcho Township, 3 village tracts in Namhsan, 2 village tracts in Man Tong Township, 4 village tracts in Mong Khet Township, 2 wards and 13 village tracts in Mong Yang Township, in Lon Kaunt village tract in Mong Hpyak Township, 8 village tracts in Mong Yawng Township, 4 village tracts in Kutkai Township, 1 ward and 9 village tracts in Muse Township, 17 village tracts in Mongmao Township, 3 village tracts in Mong Tong Township, 11 village tracts in Tangyan Township, 6 village tracts in Lashio Township, Mong Pyein village tract in Kunlong Township, Hon Aite village tract in Konkyan Township, 5 wards and 37 village tracts in Hopang Township.
However, the SNLD’s report said that the constituencies in Shan State were free from natural disaster as well as the regional security was stable there.
Four political parties, which will be contesting the Mong Kung constituency in Shan State, urged the UEC on October 21st to review cancelling the upcoming election in Shan State.
“It is 90% sure to hold upcoming elections in Mong Kung Township, Shan State. The Shan State Election Commission also submitted the review. The villages and wards in Mong Kung Township are 90% sure to hold election-2020. The remaining five townships will not go through the election,” said Tun Tun Naing, a member of Shan State Election Commission.
The Mong Kung Township had held the general election-2015 so also the wards and villages in the Mong Kung Township weren’t abolished to hold the general election-2015.
The remaining five townships except Mong Kung Township were abolished township constituencies since the beginning of general election-2015 and then those regions are under control of Wa and Mongla armed groups.
Mong Kung Township is under control of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) which is a signatory of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. However, the candidates from Mong Kung Township must perform the canvassing campaign after informing the RCSS. And then, the township has peace and tranquility.
Moreover, Mong Kung Township has been one of the winning constituencies for SNLD since the beginning of general election-1990.
Six political parties have already registered for contesting lower house constituencies in Mong Kung Township for general election-2020. Among six political parties, the United Democratic Party had been removed from the political party. There are over 55,000 eligible voters in Mong Kung Township.
