CNI News
26 September 2025
Despite the Myanmar Tatmadaw having lost control over much of Rakhine State, elections may still be possible in 7 townships, said Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), in an interview with CNI News.
Out of the 17 townships in Rakhine State, the Arakan Army (AA) currently controls 14, while the Myanmar Tatmadaw holds Sittwe, Manaung, and Kyaukphyu townships.
On September 14, the Union Election Commission (UEC) announced that elections would not be held in 56 townships across eight states and regions. However, the list of non-election areas did not include AA-controlled Ann, Thandwe, Taungup, and Gwa.
According to military sources, these townships were excluded in non-election areas because the military believes there is sufficient security to hold elections there. As a result, Dr. Aye Maung said it appears likely that elections will be conducted in 7 townships of Rakhine State.
A junction in Rakhine State
“Among the 102 townships scheduled for the first phase of elections in December, Ann, Thandwe, Taungup, and Gwa—currently under AA control—are included. This means the regional military commanders must regain control of those areas before October 31. From this situation, it looks like elections will indeed be held in 7 townships of Rakhine State.”, he said.
Townships where elections will not take place in Rakhine State include AA-controlled Ranbye, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, and Paletwa.
Since the National Defense and Security Council has declared only 56 townships nationwide as areas where elections cannot be held, political analysts note that 7 townships in Rakhine are now considered possible election areas.
AA forces
Dr. Aye Maung added that the military has set October 31 as the deadline for regional commanders to make preparations to ensure elections can be held:
“The initial announcement excluded 63 townships from elections, but that number was later reduced to 56. The National Defense and Security Council has entrusted the Commander-in-Chief with ensuring stability and enabling elections. He then delegated responsibilities to regional commanders with instructions to create conditions for elections within 90 days. This means the 7 townships must be prepared for elections by October 31. But heavy clashes are ongoing along the Ann–Toungup road.”
Currently, six political parties are expected to contest in Rakhine State in the first phase of elections on December 28. These include the Arakan Front Party (led by Dr. Aye Maung), the Arakan National Party (led by U Ba Shein), the Rakhine State National Force Party, the Khami National Development Party, the Mro Ethnic Party, and the Mro Ethnic Development Party.
