Grassroots in Sittwe paid K10,000 each to attend USDP campaign events

By Admin 09 Dec 2025

DMG Newsroom

9 December 2025, Sittwe

Grassroots residents and Muslims in Sittwe, the Arakan State capital still under the control of Myanmar’s military regime, are reportedly being paid K10,000 each to attend campaign rallies organized by the junta-proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

Sources told DMG that USDP officials in Arakan State have been visiting Muslim villages in and around Sittwe, transporting residents by car, and holding campaign speeches in front of the Arakan State government office.

“The USDP is more active than other political parties. The USDP mainly targets those who are struggling to make ends meet and comes in cars. After campaigning in front of the Arakan State government office, they give each person K10,000. Since they are struggling to make ends meet, they follow them because they want money,” said a Sittwe resident.

In Sittwe, junta soldiers, police, General Administration Department staff, Immigration Department staff and local officials are also conducting door-to-door checks, including voter-list scrutiny, in every ward.

“Junta officials are going door-to-door to warn Sittwe residents that if they are not on the voter list, they will have to reapply,” the source said.

Arakan State USDP chairman Dr San Shwe has been urging residents to vote for his party, saying the time has come to end the crisis in Arakan State.

“The time has come to end the hardships of living and transportation, which are hindering our ability to travel and come back, and the time has come for the people to vote. The people must vote to fulfil our desires. The USDP has come to the people to ensure their security, livelihood, transportation, ethnic affairs, education, and health,” Dr San Shwe said at a campaign rally on December 7.

The Arakan Front Party (AFP), led by Dr Aye Maung, and the Rakhine Nationalities Party (RNP), led by U Ba Shein, have also been campaigning in cars along Sittwe’s main roads and in crowded areas in recent days.

The military regime plans to hold elections in phases, with Phase 1 scheduled in 102 townships on December 28 and Phase 2 in 100 townships on January 11, 2026.

Political parties in Arakan State are continuing to campaign among people in the three townships under military control, as well as Arakanese communities in mainland Myanmar.

The junta-controlled Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on December 6 that elections cannot be held in 71 village-tracts and wards in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu townships.