By Kantarawaddy Times
The military council has been urging civilians from Pekon Township to return to their homes, a move that locals believe may be linked to preparations for the upcoming election and an attempt to showcase population figures.
“As far as I can see, the military council will try to work with whatever population is still under their control to stage the election. They have already reasserted control over parts of eastern Pekon Township. I don’t think they actually have enough people to secure a credible vote in that area, but here’s what will happen: if even one family member remains at home, they will force that person to cast ballots on behalf of the entire family. They are very capable of such manipulative tactics,” said a local woman.
In July, after regaining control of Mobye town in Pekon Township, the military council began ordering civilians to obtain recommendation letters from the General Administration Office in Pinlaung, Southern Shan State, before being allowed to return to Pekon.
At present, with no political parties actively representing the people and no genuine election campaigns, the upcoming polls cannot be regarded as free or fair,” said U Banya, Joint Secretary (2) of the Interim Executive Council of Karenni State (IEC)
“An election might still take place, but if it does, it will be conducted under the framework of the 2008 Constitution. It’s not difficult for them to use that constitution. Under it, the election is considered valid as long as a certain percentage of the population casts votes. It does not require full participation at the township or regional level. Even if only 100 or 200 people vote, they can still claim the election has been successfully held. That is the reality under the 2008 Constitution,” U Banya explained.
Following the military’s reoccupation of Mobye, a strategically important town in Pekon Township, passenger vehicles have resumed operating along the Union Highway connecting Pekon, Mobye, and Loikaw.
In response to the military’s call for civilians to return home, some residents have begun preparing to go back, while others remain unwilling due to security concerns. Ongoing clashes in Pekon Township have displaced nearly 10,000 people from Mobye, Pekon town, and surrounding areas east of Pekon Lake along the Shan–Karenni border, leaving them unable to return to their homes.
