Most former ward and village administrators in Mon State have reportedly been reappointed during the latest selection process, with little change in personnel, according to sources close to local administrative bodies.
Township committees and village-level meetings for the selection of new administrators have been held since the first week of May in Paung, Mudon, Ye, Kyaikmaraw, and Chaungzon townships.
Sources said many officials accused of abusing power, oppressing residents, or being involved in corruption were reappointed without considering the views of local people.
A source close to the administrative body in Kyaikmaraw Township said township authorities had already decided to retain the previous administrators instead of selecting new ones.
“The township administrator said they would continue with the same people and would not select new administrators. They said both township and village-level positions would remain unchanged. Some residents who wanted to participate in the selection process went there, but they had to return disappointed,” the source said.
Under existing laws, former ward or village administrators are allowed to seek reappointment or run again for office. However, the law also states that administrators should be selected based on public support.
Local residents expressed concern that retaining administrators close to the military junta would not bring improvement or change in local governance and could instead allow gambling and drug markets to expand further.
Because of the situation, residents in villages where administrators have not yet been selected said they want only trusted individuals chosen for the positions.
“It is always the same people again and again. They only keep people connected to the military junta. There has been no progress or improvement for the towns and villages. Even though they say they are selecting new administrators, nothing really changes. Local people want to see different individuals in these positions,” a resident from Ye Township said.
In some townships, previous administrators have also been reappointed because few people are willing to take the positions due to frequent shootings and arrests targeting administrative officials.
The term of ward and village administrators is generally five years, in line with the term of the president, and the law reportedly does not allow more than two consecutive terms.
The military junta plans to complete the re-selection process for administrators across Mon State within May this year.
