Residents of Lawksawk Township have begun using a lottery system to appoint village administrators, reflecting the growing dangers associated with a position that has become more of a liability than a civic responsibility.

Since the 2021 military coup, village administrators in Lawksawk have found themselves caught in a deadly crossfire. The military junta frequently detains and assaults administrators suspected of sympathizing with resistance forces, while revolutionary groups often target them for allegedly acting as informants for the military.

Faced with these life-threatening risks, many administrators have resigned, fled their villages, or sought unconventional ways to avoid the role. Some have even entered the monkhood to secure exemption from administrative duties.

“Previous administrators have all resigned, and some have ordained as monks simply to avoid the position,” a resident in his 40s told SHAN. “Whenever something goes wrong, the military immediately blames the administrator, beating or arresting them. Some have even been killed. No one dares to take the job anymore, but a village cannot function without an administrator, so we have resorted to drawing lots.”

Under the lottery system, those selected are generally required to serve a fixed two-year term. However, reluctance to accept the position remains widespread.

“The situation is extremely serious. Serving as an administrator is dangerous because of the constant risk of being beaten or killed, so naturally no one wants the job,” said a local youth. “At this rate, we may eventually have to pay people to take the position.”

The administrative crisis is further compounded by mounting economic pressures. Residents reported that military personnel are now demanding a “military service tax” of 300,000 kyats from each household.

Lawksawk Township remains a highly volatile area, with multiple armed groups operating in and around the region, including the Myanmar military junta, the Pa-O National Organization (PNO), the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), and the Danu People’s Liberation Front/Army (DPLF/DPLA).

For civilians caught amid competing authorities and ongoing conflict, maintaining even the most basic structures of local governance has become a matter of survival.