Myanmar closing most polling stations in Rakhine

More than half the polling stations initially planned in conflict-torn Rakhine for Myanmar's Nov. 8 election will no longer operate_ as parts of the state are too unstable for voting_ the country's election committee said. The region_ where most parliamentary seats are held by Rakhine nationalist opponents of Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi_ has been beset by an ethnic insurgency that has intensified this year. The ruling National League for Democracy said three of its candidates were abducted in Rakhine while campaigning on Wednesday. Police did not respond to requests for comment_ and Arakan Army insurgents made no statement. Some areas "are not in a position to hold a free and fair election_" the committee said in a statement late on Friday. There will be no voting in nine of 17 townships in Rakhine_ according to the statement_ while another four will have minimal voting. "This has a huge impact on us. We have only a few spots for voting left_" said Myo Kyaw_ spokesman for the Arakan League for Democracy_ one of the major parties in Rakhine. "There is no such thing as a 100% free and fair election. The election this year is worse than the others before it_ he added. In the last election in 2015_ the ethnic Arakan National Party won most of the seats for Rakhine state and the third-highest number of votes nationwide. The party seeks a federal system in Myanmar_ with more power for its states. Rakhine drew the eyes of the world in 2017 when more than 750_000 Rohingya fled to neighbouring Bangladesh during a military crackdown_ a campaign that UN investigators said was carried out with "genocidal intent". The current conflict is being waged by the Arakan Army_ which is fighting for greater autonomy for the western region. Its recruits are largely Buddhists_ who make up most of the population of Rakhine as well as Myanmar. Opposition parties have urged Myanmar's government to postpone the election because of surging coronavirus infections and a rising death toll_ but Suu Kyi has said the ballot must go ahead.