Myanmar’s Union Election Commission (UEC) is an independent organisation that has not been controlled by the government, according to U Zaw Htay, director-general of the State Counsellor’s Office, who pushed back against suggestions to the contrary at a press conference over the weekend. 

There were 229 COVID-19 patients receiving treatment at hospitals in the entirety of Arakan State as of October 9, according to Arakan State Public Health Department data made available on Saturday.

Arrangements are underway to open polling stations at camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) that are deemed safe, in order to allow these war-affected populations in Arakan State to vote in the November 8 general election. 

The United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) has urged an end to hostilities in Arakan and Shan states, and the coalition of ethnic political parties is also pushing for trilateral peace talks between the government, the Tatmadaw and ethnic armed organisations.  

Fifty-one Tatmadaw officers are being transferred to Arakan State’s border guard police (BGP) force as security personnel in western Myanmar simultaneously confront two different armed groups, according to government spokesman U Zaw Htay. 

Residents of Phayarpaung village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township have accused military personnel of seizing relief items and food supplies provided to locals whose homes were set ablaze last month. 

More than 9,000 people in Arakan State will cast their votes for the upcoming general election in advance, according to the state election subcommission. 

A restaurant owner from Ward-3 in Ann Township, Arakan State, and two customers were reportedly charged under the Natural Disaster Management Law after the latter were allowed to dine at the restaurant on October 7. 

The Tatmadaw has opened a case against a resident of Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township after allegedly finding explosive devices at his home.  

A woman was killed and two others were injured when a landmine exploded on October 9 near Van Vwe village in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State, locals said. 

Eight out of more than 100 truck drivers and assistants who have entered Arakan State in recent days have tested positive for COVID-19, the state’s Public Health Department said on October 9. 

A total of 124 more polling stations are planned to be set up in Arakan State for the upcoming general election as a social distancing measure in the COVID-19 era, according to the state election subcommission. 

Local residents in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township will be punished under Section 30(a) of the Natural Disaster Management Law if they go out after 11a.m. except for health reasons starting on October 9, according to a statement from the township COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment committee. 

Tenants in some Sittwe wards are complaining that they have not received outpass cards required to leave residences to shop or run other necessary errands under restrictions intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  

About 5,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Paletwa Township, Chin State, are in urgent need of rice as provisions of the staple grain from the World Food Programme (WFP) have not arrived in recent weeks, according to IDPs. 

A former lawyer from the Arakan State capital Sittwe was charged at the township court under the Telecommunications Law’s Section 66(d), a notorious defamation provision, on October 7.  

More than 300 local residents have been displaced by fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) in Buthidaung Township this week.

Residents of Nat Maw village in Arakan State’s Taungup Township have complained to the Anti-Corruption Commission, alleging that their former local administrator misappropriated the government’s COVID-19 relief fund, a village source said.

More than 400 Muslim contract-appointed teachers from government-run schools and IDP camp classrooms for Muslims in Sittwe, Arakan State, are facing financial hardship as they have gone months without receiving paychecks.