Both political parties and the military junta are engaging with various groups and communities, competing to exert influence over local populations in relation to the upcoming election, according to local sources.
As the election approaches, political parties are calling for the election to be blocked and for people not to participate, while the military junta is pushing ahead with preparations for the 2025 election. As a result, competing efforts to influence local communities are intensifying.
“The election is approaching very quickly. On one side, there are efforts to disrupt the election, discourage voting, and prevent participation in the election process. On the other side, the right to vote is a major political issue, and there are pushes for people to cast ballots and support local administrative structures. Both revolutionary groups and the Myanmar military are applying pressure on local communities in different ways,” said a local resident from Kyaikmaraw Township.
During this period, some revolutionary groups, in areas under their control, have contacted local communities in places where the military junta plans to hold elections, urging residents not to vote and not to support the election.
Similarly, some administrative bodies under the military junta have also been engaging with various groups in towns and villages, encouraging participation in the elections.
“One concern regarding revolutionary groups is that in areas where the military junta is unable to conduct elections, they contact local communities and pressure them not to vote or support military junta–run elections. However, in some areas, the military junta is not actively conducting elections either, raising questions about what will happen,” said an observer monitoring the election situation in Thanbyuzayat and Mudon townships.
The Union Election Commission announced on December 6 that elections will not be held in 140 village tracts across Mon State, citing security concerns and the inability to conduct free and fair polls. Residents in those areas will not be eligible to vote.
According to the Union Election Commission under the military junta, elections will not be held in 140 village tracts across Mon State, including 27 in Kyaikhto Township, 28 in Ye Township, 17 in Thanbyuzayat Township, 4 in Paung Township, 31 in Kyaikmaraw Township, 10 in Bilin Township, and 23 in Mudon Township.
