National League for Democracy veteran U Tin Oo made a surprise visit to Sittwe yesterday, leading his party’s first rally in the Rakhine State capital since the election period began.

“We came here because we want Rakhine State to be developed and tranquil,” he said.

“We’ll solve every problem peacefully and in a non-violent way,” he added, in what appeared to be an allusion to the sectarian riots that erupted in Rakhine in 2012, and led to the ongoing displacement of more than 140,000 people, mostly Muslim minorities.

U Tin Oo’s sudden appearance in the state capital, announced just a day before his arrival, came on the heels of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s own three-day campaign tour of Rakhine. However, the charismatic NLD leader visited the state’s southern townships, where the party is expected to poll better than the north.

The 89-year-old retired general did not draw a large crowd of supporters like those characteristic of the NLD’s campaign tours. The election fever sweeping much of the country seems to have waned in Sittwe, which is comparatively devoid of party promotional materials beyond the few campaign billboards sparsely dotting the town.

The occasional trishaw sports a Union Solidarity and Development Party flag, while some shops fly the flag associated with the Rakhine nationalist movement and the extremely popular Arakan National Party. Noticeably absent, however, is the distinct red and gold flag of the NLD, with its fighting peacock.

Just over 100 NLD supporters turned out to hear U Tin Oo speak ahead of the key vote in what he called Myanmar’s “most important year”. In contrast, an NLD rally in Yangon on November 1 drew tens of thousands of people sporting party colours and stickers, all eager to hear Daw Aung San Suu Kyi speak.

Most of the modest crowd in the Sittwe restaurant were dressed in regular clothes.

“It is the first time in my life I have been to an NLD rally in Sittwe,” said one student who came to the address.

Another man, who hadn’t donned any red apparel for the occasion, demonstrated the room’s muted support for the largest opposition party. “Some of us just want a change,” he said, citing the party’s campaign slogan.

U Tin Oo used his address to emphasise his party’s support for Rakhine State and its people, regardless of the election outcome.

“We are succeeding so far because of our strong will and supporters … That’s why we are succeeding in most areas in Burma,” he said.

U Tin Oo outlined the NLD’s objectives as being equal rights for citizens, power sharing, a federal state and building a sustainable democracy. He told the crowd that their continued support was the main factor in the NLD achieving its goals.

Most agree that the NLD has little chance in Rakhine State, where the ANP is expected to sweep most seats. But the NLD isn’t the only party making a last-minute push in the state: U Tin Oo’s rally came just a day ahead of President U Thein Sein’s visit today.

Ahead of his arrival, the local USDP office yesterday staged a convoy through the streets of Sittwe, with two trucks fitted out in the party’s signature green. A rock band played on one, while around 10 young people wearing party T-shirts danced on the other. A procession of about 15 pickup trucks followed, all similarly adorned in USDP flags.

At the back of the procession, several pickups flying the ancient coin of the Arakan flag followed. It was not entirely clear if the latter trucks were taking part in the USDP rally, or if they formed a separate group trying to drum up support for the meeting taking place down the street, where Rakhine Womens’ Union founder Saw Mra Raza Linn was speaking in favour of the ANP.

As these competing processions and sound systems wound their way through the streets of central Sittwe, the town’s small NLD support base staged its quieter gathering near the Kaladan River.

When asked by a member of the crowd if he believes this year’s election will be fair, U Tin Oo responded, “Whether it is fair or not, if you want democracy you have to compete. But it depends on the election commission. In this election we have to compete until we meet our objectives.”

“If you believe in democracy, the citizens are going to win,” he said. “We want you to believe that we NLD are with you [Rakhine people].”