More than 100 village tracts in Mon State where elections could not be held have been barred from electing village administrators, according to sources close to township administrations.
Under the military junta’s 2025 election plan, 140 village tracts across seven townships in Mon State were designated as areas where elections could not be conducted.
Residents said people in those areas have not been allowed to elect village administrators. Instead, former administrators, household heads, and temporary appointees have been allowed to remain in office.
“They always talk about the will of the people, but in reality they do not allow people to choose. We also want new administrators and new opportunities,” said a resident from Ye Township.
Village administrator selection processes are currently being carried out during June and July. However, in Ye Township, only one government-controlled village has been able to hold an administrator election, according to local sources.
Residents are calling for all villages and wards, including those in areas where elections were not held, to be allowed to choose their own administrators.
“A village administrator is a position that directly affects local people, so residents should have the right to choose. Right now, they only allow elections in areas they can control. In areas they cannot control, they continue to keep their own people in office,” said a source close to a village and ward administration team.
Under the Ward or Village Tract Administration Law, administrators are required to be elected based on the wishes of local residents. However, following the military coup, the process has not been fully implemented.
During the Mon State Hluttaw session held on June 16, questions were raised regarding the selection of village administrators. Although relevant officials said the process would be carried out in accordance with the law, no details were provided regarding the selection process or timeline.
Residents said the right to elect village administrators is a fundamental form of public participation and should be applied equally across all areas of Mon State.
Local sources also said that few people are willing to run for positions as household heads or village administrators due to public dissatisfaction over military conscription pressures and ongoing security risks.
