The NMSP’s new Covid-19 Control and Emergency Response Committee issued a new statement on September 11, 2020 stating that election campaigning is being restricted within NMSP controlled areas. Permission will only be granted in some places, and no more than 30 people will be allowed to gather for campaign purposes.
“We have the right to organize freely in Thaton District (Kawkareik Township). However, in Kyain Seik Gyi Township (Taungpauk), where we are based in the Mawlamyine District Office, election campaigning is limited to local township party members. If they follow the rule that no more than 30 people may gather and maintain 6 feet distance from each other, we will allow them to organize.” said Nai Banyar Lel, Chairman of NMSP Covid-19 Control and Emergency Response Committee (Central).
He added that the Three Pagodas Pass area [Thai-Burmese border], Kyung Laung village [east of Ye Township] and Ye Pyu Township [east of Ye-Dawei Motorway] which are NMSP- controlled areas, do not allow campaigning.
“If the rate of infection decreases and the speed is slow, we will allow the Mon villages near the Three Pagodas motorway in Ye Chaung Phya to be organized. But, at the moment no political party is allowed to organize. We will allow the local people to vote.” said Nai Banyar Lae.
There are 35 villages in the NMSP-controlled area. More than 6,000 households with a population of 30,000 people. However, the relevant election commission did not collect a voters list and do not plan to open polling stations.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports at 8 am today, a total of 3,015 Covid-19 cases were reported across Myanmar. Of the 699 people admitted to hospital, 24 have died from the disease and 83 were re-infected. There is currently an average of more than 200 new cases being diagnosed each day.
