Regime begins preparations for elections in Arakan State

By Admin 15 Aug 2025

DMG Newsroom

15 August 2025, Sittwe

Myanmar's military regime has begun preparations for elections slated for late this year or early 2026 in the three Arakan State townships under its control.

The military regime's Chief Minister for Arakan State, U Htein Lin, and his entourage held an election-planning meeting in Sittwe on August 14, junta-controlled state-run media reported.

During the meeting, they discussed the implementation of electoral matters and future plans to ensure a successful election. District and township Election Commission officials from Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung townships attended via video conference.

A local woman in Sittwe said, "Why should people who are trapped in Sittwe be interested in the election when it feels like they are in a hell hole? I just want to say that the military regime should first prevent the people from starving."

Most townships in Arakan State are controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), and fighting is ongoing in two of the remaining three townships under regime control, forcing many residents to flee.

Those who remain in Sittwe do so primarily because they cannot afford to flee, suffering from severe food shortages due to the military regime's road blockades.

The AA controls about 90 percent of Arakan State, and local residents say that the upcoming elections in the three townships still under military regime control are irrelevant to the Arakanese people.

"The Arakanese people want the right to self-determination for Arakan State. That is why the Arakanese people are fighting the revolution. Now the ULA has controlled about 90 percent of Arakan State. Therefore, these political parties cannot be said to represent the Arakanese people," said Ko Tein Oo, former General Secretary of the All Arakan Students' & Youths' Congress (AASYC).

The regime on July 29 enacted an election-related law that carries prison sentences and even the death penalty for opponents of the poll who violate the law's provisions.

The junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) has reportedly allowed six political parties claiming to represent the people of Arakan State to compete in the elections. They include the Arakan Front Party (AFP) led by Dr. Aye Maung; Rakhine State National Unity Party (RSUNP); Khami National Development Party; Mro National Party; Mro National Development Party (MNDP); and Rakhine Nationalities Party (RNP).

A man from a community organisation told DMG: "There are only three townships in Arakan State that are controlled by the military regime. In other words, most Arakanese people will not be interested in the election.

If they win the election, nothing will change for the Arakanese people."The AA has said that the upcoming election being organised by Myanmar's military regime is not beneficial to the Arakanese people, nor are the people of Arakan State interested in it.