Myanmar: Rakhine armed group abducts election candidates; Covid-19 cases still escalating

Supporters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Party wave their party's flags during an election campaing in Naypyidaw. Three of their candidates have been kidnapped by the Arakan Army group in the Rakhine state, it was confirmed on Monday night (Oct 19). - AFP

YANGON, Oct 20, 2020 (AFP): An armed group in Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state has confirmed that it had taken three election candidates of Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party prisoner ahead of a November election already marred by mass disenfranchisement.

Militant group the Arakan Army (AA) has for nearly two years been locked in battle against the military, fighting for more autonomy for the state's ethnic Rakhine population.