Elections not viable in some ethnic areas: poll watchdog

Thursday, 16 September 2010 23:19 Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Burmese junta’s electoral watchdog has declared that it would be unable to hold polling for national elections on November 7 in some parts of 32 townships in states dominated by large ethnic minorities, according to a report on state-run television late today.

The Union Election Commission (UEC) in the report said that the areas were not in a fit state to hold polling, and comprised nine townships in Kachin, two in Karenni, seven in Karen, two in Mon and 12 in Shan states.

Some towns could host elections but in others, especially areas controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), there was nowhere to set up polling booths, it said.

Most of the areas are controlled by ethnic ceasefire groups, and the inability of the junta to manage polling in those areas might be attributable to the fact that many groups have rejected its Border Guard Force (BGF) plan.