January 14, 2023. (Narinjara)

The Arakan FrontParty (AFP) will compete in the elections to be held this year organized by theMilitary Council, party chairman Doctor Aye Maung told Narinjara. 

He opined that the election would be an outlet forMyanmar’s political and military crises. 

“If you think aboutit carefully, you will see this election as a way out of Myanmar’s political and military crises,” he said. 

Military Council’s chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing led the coupon February 1st, 2021,on the grounds that there had been vote fraud in the 2020 election. Afterthat he stated a newelection will be held in 2023.

However the partywith the public support in Rakhine state - The United League of Arakan/ Arakan Army (ULA/AA),has a far more criticalview of the Junta’s election plan.

The ULA/AAcommented.” whether the election will be held in Rakhine state will depend on the\ political conditions that will arise at that time,and the will of the entir people of Myanmar.” They added “none of the elections held in Rakhinethroughout historyhave been able to improve the lives of the local people.”

“ Ifthere is pressure to not hold an election, the Defense and Security Council can entrust theCommander-in-Chief with power for two-year periods, as it is now. So shall we continue in the same way? How should we change it tothe advantage of all the people of the Union? DrMaung queried.

When the majorityof people are calling for a new federal democratic state, shouldn’t we negotiate so that the constitution can be amended and drafted, assoon as possible?Will they negotiate to get the peace they want, after the blood of the ethnic armed revolution forces flows? Will they negotiateand come up with a solution at gunpoint? It all comes down to your thinking ability”, he commented.

The MilitaryCouncil is planning to change the electoral system and use PR (Proportional representation) system in the next election.Currently population censuses are being collected fromthe entire country of Myanmar, including Rakhine state, starting on January 9th.

Internationalcommunity and Myanmar political circles have dismissed this as a “sham election” designed to legitimate the regime. Many localdefense forces have issued warnings not to vote or compete in the elections conducted by theMilitary Council.  Also they said that they will not allow elections inthe areas where they are operating.

Dr Aye Maung askedmore questions .“Do we need to get away from the misery of war? Or stay put ? Shall the SAC (MilitaryCouncil) be allowed to continue to hold power? Is it necessary to cancel the election? Or shall wesupport and encourage the election to be held successfully? Answers to these questionshave to be decided by the public, the international community and foreign individuals. SAC will continue on their path. So which way should we choose? How can we protectour interests? Thisis for us, the peopleto decide.” Doctor Aye Maung added.

He also said thatMyanmar people and the international community should make a proper decision whether to encourage the upcomingelection in Myanmar, a country mired in bloody wars for more than 70 years.

Doctor Aye Maungalso confirmed that his party, ANP will participate in the election.

“We are a partyregistered to participate in the election. The law on the registration of political parties already stipulates that a partymust compete in at least three constituencies when elections are held. If not, the party will bedissolved”, he pointed out.