The Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that election campaigning can begin in the morning of September 8th. The UEC statement indicated candidates will be able to campaign until midnight on November 6, and up to 50 people would be allowed to attend campaign events, which must follow COVID-19 regulations, with participants staying at least six feet from each other.
The UEC announcement was made on September 6th.
Critics argue the official UEC announcement coming out just two days before, disadvantages other parties.
Nai Layea Tamah, Joint Secretary (1) of the Mon Unity Party said, “Our party will not be able to start campaigning in all townships on 8 September because the start date of the election campaign and the date of the commission announcement are very close. The UEC statement was announced on September 6 and the election campaign can begin on September 8.”
Nai Ye Zaw, Pyithu a Hluttaw candidate with the New Mon State Party (NMSP) from Kyaikmaraw Township, Mon State, suggested this late date for the UEC announcement disadvantages all other parties, except for the National League for Democracy (NLD) who currently form the government.
“We don’t know the rules so we cannot plan for our election campaign. Meanwhile, the NLD party has an advantage –they know in advance and get the initiative. We are waiting for what rules will be issued and what will be instructed, so our plans will be delayed.” said Nai Ye Zaw.
Mann Aung Pyi Soe, vice-chairman of the Phalon-Sawa Democratic Party said “It has been announced they only allowed 50 people [may gather at election campaign events], and they must stay six feet apart, so if we want to meet 500 people we have to celebrate [organize] 10 times”
On the first day of the election campaign, the NLD started campaigning in all 10 townships of Mon State, including Mawlamyine.
Ko Min Min, a resident of Mawlamyine noted that he “…only saw the NLD party start their campaign in Mawlamyine.”
