The IPU is concerned about reports of violence against parliamentarians and candidates during 8 November general elections in Myanmar.
According to the information received by the IPU, parliamentarian Mr. U Htike Zaw was shot dead at his home in Shan State on 21 November 2020. Mr. Zaw had just won a seat in the Amyotha Hluttaw, the upper house of the Myanmar Parliament.
The IPU has also received reports that three candidates from governing party the National League for Democracy were kidnapped on their way to campaign in Rakhine State in the run-up to the elections. They were allegedly abducted by the Arakan Army, an armed ethnic group involved in heavy fighting against central government forces.
The IPU calls for the immediate release of the candidates. Parliamentarians and candidates for elected office should be able to campaign peacefully and unhindered.
The IPU also calls on the national authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent violence.
