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Ethnic Political Parties urge UEC to reconsider limited election cancellation decision

HURFOM: On October 16, 2020, the Union Election Commission (UEC) announced a list of constituencies in States and Divisions that will not be able to hold free and fair elections.

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Covid-19 public health restrictions making voter education ineffective

HURFOM: The Civic Action for Free and Fair Election (CAFFE) Project has been conducting voter education training since the third week of September, and will continue until  the end of October, 2020.

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Covid-19 travel ban increases electorate voting from temporary constituencies

HURFOM: The government’s nationwide Covid-19 travel ban has more voters residing outside of their native constituency applying for Form #3(a) to cast their votes from their temporary constituencies.  

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Voter education unavailable in Ye Chaung Phya (NMSP zone) due to Covid-19 travel ban

HURFOM: On September 11, 2020, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) announced restrictions on people’s movements in the 30 villages of their controlled area.

This directive is impacting  Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) providing voter education training in the areas controlled by Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAO’s).

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Covid-19 travel ban increases electorate voting from temporary constituencies

HURFOM: The government’s nationwide Covid-19 travel ban has more voters residing outside of their native constituency applying for Form #3(a) to cast their votes from their temporary constituencies.  

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Voter education unavailable in Ye Chaung Phya (NMSP zone) due to Covid-19 travel ban

HURFOM: On September 11, 2020, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) announced restrictions on people’s movements in the 30 villages of their controlled area.

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Senior member of the NLD in Thaton attempts extortion over an insult to the party logo.

HURFOM: On October 4, 2020, an 11-year-old was preparing to support the National League for Democracy (NLD)’s election campaign in Ka Dike Kyi village, Thaton Township, Mon State. 

The child’s grandmother tried to stop her because of worries about Covid-19. 

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Secretary of Mon State Election Sub-commission accused of misappropriation of election funds

HURFOM: On October 7, 2020, the Chair of Thaton District Election Sub-commission and two members held a press conference at the Thu Wunna Ran Thi Monastery, Thaton Town, Mon State. The Chair alleged that U Hein Linn Htet, the Secretary of the Mon State Election Sub-commission, had misappropriated election funds.

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Authorities attempt to restrict growing support to competing political and ethnic parties

HURFOM: With just a month left before the 2020 general election, certain authorities have been attempting to restrict expressions of support for competing political and ethnic parties from members of the public. Support for opposition parties has been on the rise,  and authorities are now issuing written or oral orders to curtail these activities.

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HURFOM releases report on electoral challenges facing marginalized communities

Today – on October 8, 2020, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) released a report detailing electoral barriers and challenges facing marginalized populations in Southern Myanmar. The report is titled, “Without Inclusivity, No Free and Fair Elections”.

“This is the third election under the 2008 constitution. In the 2015 election, only half of eligible voters in Mon State appeared at the polling stations. The number was too low. They’ve wanted changes but why didn’t they come to vote? We’ve done this report in order to address the electoral challenges facing voters,” said Nai Aue Mon, the Program Director of HURFOM.

During the months of August and September 2020 information was collected from 129 villagers living in 30 different villages across six townships in Mon and Karen States, and from the Tenasserim Division. There were also two group discussions held in Kyaikmayaw and Thanbyuzayat Townships. Due to travel restrictions, some information was collected by online meetings or phone.

“Our main challenge for this report was COVID-19. We’re well prepared, but things didn’t go as planned due to COVID-19. We had some delays, and had to cancel 2 workshops due to travel restrictions and social distancing policies. We’ve finished this report with the contribution from the local communities,” said Nai Bnyair Ogvon, the Project Coordinator.

The report highlights electoral challenges facing rural populations, especially women, the elderly, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), first time voters, persons with disabilities, as well as people under the control of Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs).

According to the report, the most marginalized populations are persons with disabilities and those living under the control of EAOs.  These communities often have no access to information related to the election, are not included on the voter list, or face problems related to polling stations.

The report calls for institutional remedies to these electoral barriers, in order to create an inclusive electoral environment for all.

The report is more than 100 pages long with nine chapters, and is available in Burmese and English.

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