The demand made by both the military and the Arakan Army (AA) to hold elections promptly in the constituencies of Rakhine State where the November 8 election could not take place is the main impetus for the emergence of and transition to a democratic federal union, the Arakan National Party (ANP) says in a statement released on November 13.

AA requested the government and military to hold by-elections in some constituencies of Rakhine State where the election was cancelled. The Military also welcomed the AA’s demand promising to seek coordination to be able to hold the by-election in those places. 

“Our party is from the state where the election was cancelled for security reasons. When it comes to a free and fair election, other parties were able to field their candidates to run for election in all constituencies. Voters there also had the chance to vote. They have enjoyed their rights as citizens. They have enjoyed human rights. The voters in our Rakhine State lost those rights. AA issued its statement to hold the election in the constituencies where the November 8 election was cancelled for security reasons. Within hours, the military issued a statement welcoming AA’s statement. It is a blessing. So, we had to issue our statement as well,” said ANP spokesperson Aye Nu Sein. 

ANP urged all stakeholders to cooperate in the effort to hold a free and fair election as quickly as possible in the cancelled constituencies.