Civilians in the NMSP-controlled areas do not have National Registration Cards (NRC). According to Nai Banyar Lae, New Mon State Party (NMSP) Internal Affairs Officer, they need to get an NRC before the 2020 election.
However, there are no NRC cards issued in NMSP-controlled areas with a population of over 50,000, and about 40 villages with a population of over 20,000. The Mon State Immigration Department has not indicated if those without an NRC are registered or not to vote in the upcoming election.
Mon civil society organizations have been conducting a census that has now included 2,000 unregistered people living within NMSP-controlled areas since last March. The NMSP has submitted a report to the Mon State government on this matter.
Nai Banyar Lae explained, “We are not clear that there are Karen villages related to us. The Karen Minister for Ethnic Affairs has already registered with the Township immigration. Why do we have to submit our control area to the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC)? Since the people are in Mon State, I think we can do it with the help of the Prime Minister”.
The Mon State government has submitted the list of unregistered people to the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC).
Currently, there are estimated to be more than 50,000 unregistered people within Mon State, and due to Covid 19, there is not enough time to register them before the election. A letter of recommendation to address this situation has been sent to the election sub-commission in Mon State, according to U Tin Chae, Mon State Director of the Immigration Department.
“There is no time to get a NRC card for 50,000 unregistered people. An official letter has been sent to the Commission to provide a letter of recommendation, in the name of an individual. They will contact us, “ explained U Tin Chae.
The National League for Democracy (NLD), and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) have registered migrant workers around Ye Township, so that they can cast their ballots.
The NMSP has allowed election campaign activities in Thaton District, Kawkareik Township, Kayin State, but since September 11, there is a restriction on the number of people (30) that may gather together for such activities.
The NMSP was not allowed to open a polling station within their area, as a result, local people were being sent to a government designated polling station to vote.
