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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.

NLD village Secretary cites defamation citing Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications law

HURFOM: On October 3, 2020, U Nyne Nyne Win, a village Secretary with the National League for Democracy (NLD) for Ka Ma Nam village, Chaung Zone Township, Mon State, initiated a lawsuit against Facebook user, Mi Htaw Mon, aka Mi Thin Htay Mon.  

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MUP to help electorate in Mawlamyine ensure they are on voters list

HURFOM: The second announcement of the updated voter list was declared open for review from October 1 to 14, 2020.  The Election Sub-commission office in Mawlamyine and the Mon Unity Party (MON) said they would both help voters in Mawlamyine constituencies to check that their names are on the list.

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Updated voter list now includes 2,000 Ye Chaung Phya voters

HURFOM: On October 1, 2020 an updated  voters list was released. This time, more than 2,000 voters were added to the original list.  

“This time, people from Ye Chaung Phya have been included in the list. There were 2,232 people, but more than 500 people were still left out because there were errors in their date of birth and other facts. We’ll re–apply with Form #3,” said Nai Loon who helped the local villagers secure their voting rights.

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Youth Association provides free masks

HURFOM: The spread of COVID-19 has been increasing throughout Myanmar/Burma.  As of September 26, there were 222 COVID-19 confirmed cases in Mon State.

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November 8 election should be postponed says 24 political parties

HURFOM: Due to high rates of local transmission of COVID-19, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) along with 24 other political parties sent an open letter to the UEC on September 15 demanding the Commission reconsider the date of the election.

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Village leader sues for defamation

HURFOM: On September 14, 2020, Nai Pha, the hundred-household leader of (Inside) Da Ni Kyar village, Ma Gyi village track, Khaw Zar Sub-township, Ye Township, Mon State announced he will sue a monk and five villagers for defaming him.

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Neighbour rapes 6-year-old child

HURFOM: On September 12, 2020, a 50-year-old man from Zay Jo Ward, Mawlamyine, Mon State, raped a 6-year old child.

The rapist lived nearby the child’s family home, and lured her to his house. 

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NLD’s election campaign poster destroyed in Kyaikmayaw

HURFOM: On September 11, 2020, a 28-year-old man from Kaw That village, Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State destroyed a National League for Democracy (NLD)  election campaign poster.  He was charged by the Kyaikmayaw police under electoral law #57 and #58 for actions threatening the right to be elected.

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Election campaigning must be done via social media due to COVID-19 and limit crowd sizes

HURFOM: On September 6, 2020, the Union Election Commission (UEC) released a statement directing candidates to conduct their election campaigns via social media due to COVID-19.  Candidates have responded that this will be difficult.

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