She felt sorry for voters whom she saw fear in their eyes, said Hla That Soe aka Khin Htate Htar, a candidate of Arakan National Party (ANP) for Taunggup.

Although the election campaign was difficult in COVID-19 pandemic period, thousands of voters joined in the campaign held at Taunggup on October 21.

“We have to reduce the minimum number of attendees as COVID-19 is still spreading in the area. We only put up election campaign posters before that. Now we can hold election campaigns with restrictions. Another thing is we face challenges as we have to hold the election campaign in line with rules and regulations. We are losing our rights to hold election campaigns. When we went to villages, the locals were worried about gluing a sticker of emblem representing Rakhine State. We don’t know why they are afraid of. They don’t dare to come to the place where the election campaign holds. They are overwhelmed by fear. Transportation is also difficult as we have to go by car and boat. There are many difficulties,” she said.

She added every citizen should have their rights to vote. The decision not to hold elections in many village tracts in three townships in addition to nine other townships is not suitable. It is controversial that the Union Election Commission (UEC) decided not to hold elections in Pauktaw where fighting is not occurring but it is decided to hold elections in Paletwa where military tension occurs.

“No military tension has occurred in Taunggup but we don’t understand that the UEC has decided not to hold elections in No.1 Taunggup Constituency. Besides only a little number of COVID-19 infections have broken out in the area. And then some islands included in No.2 Taunggup Constituency are also barred from the election. Mountainous areas, some village tracts and a whole of Hu areas are included in the ban,” she said.