More than 500 civil society groups across Myanmar have urged President U Win Myint to reconsider going forward as planned with elections scheduled for November 8 as the country continues to grapple with the twin crises of resurgent COVID-19 and ongoing conflict in Arakan State. 

Five out of 40 election signboards erected for the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township have been destroyed, according to local party members. 

Chin State civil society organisations have expressed concerns about uncertainty hanging over whether elections will be held in Paletwa Township, where conflict centred on neighbouring Arakan State has spilled over and continues to affect lives and livelihoods. 

Four residents of Pyar Pin Yin village in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township were wounded when artillery shells struck their village on Wednesday, with one of the victims admitted to Sittwe General Hospital with serious injuries.  

Two men from Sanae village in Ann Township were recently released by the Tatmadaw but are in need of medical treatment after allegedly being beaten in military custody, according to locals. 

The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, has risen by more than 3,000 in just over a week, according to a local lawmaker, IDP camp officials and area residents, as fierce clashes between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army (AA) continued this week.   

Monthly vaccinations for pregnant women, infants and children under 2 years of age have been suspended due to a surge in coronavirus infections in Arakan State, according to the Arakan State Department of Public Health.

The Myanmar military detained four men from Myoma Ward in Chin State’s Paletwa Township on the evening of October 13, according to local residents. 

Officials from the National League for Democracy (NLD) say three of the party’s candidates were abducted by unidentified, armed captors in Taungup Township, Arakan State, on October 14. 

The Chin State government has begun sending 1,700 sacks of rice and other food rations to Paletwa Township, according to sources, in an effort to meet shortages there due to travel restrictions and other supply chain challenges. 

Due to travel restrictions prompted by rising COVID-19 infections in Arakan State, relief aid and food supplies are in short supply at some camps for internally displaced people (IDPs), say responsible personnel from the camps. 

The family of a Mrauk-U man who died last month in military custody has lodged a complaint with police, calling for those responsible for his death to be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.   

Clashes broke out between the military and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rathedaung Township’s Kyauktan village-tract on October 13, according to area residents. 

Nine people from Sanae village in Arakan State’s Ann Township were taken from their homes and arrested by Tatmadaw troops in recent days, according to family members of the detainees and local residents. 

Medical experts, municipal waste managers and environmentalists are united in reminding the public to properly dispose of used face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Eight truck drivers and drivers’ assistants on routes entering Ann Township, Arakan State, in recent days have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the township-level COVID-19 prevention, control and emergency response committee.

A pass from the Arakan State security and border affairs minister is required to bring pharmaceuticals and facemasks from Yangon into Arakan State, according to Ann Township administrator U Ko Ko Myat. 

Political parties and candidates for the upcoming general election are urging the Union Election Commission (UEC) to announce as soon as possible those townships in Arakan State that will not be holding the vote next month. 

Two men from Ywahaung village in Ann Township were injured in a shelling on October 11 and were hospitalised a day later, according to people assisting the victims, who said travel restrictions prevented them from receiving proper medical treatment the day of the incident.