Palam

Reports of intimidation and arrests in ethnic areas during Burma’s elections

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has received reports of harassment, intimidation, violence and arrests in several of Burma’s ethnic states, during and immediately following the sham elections three days ago.

One of the Chin ethnic political parties, the Ethnic National Development Party (ENDP), has got a number of Parliament seats from Matupi constituency, southern Chin state in the 2010 general election in Burma.

The winning candidates in Matupi constituencies are U Amih – National Parliament, Dr. Rouk – People’s Parliament, U Onh Lwin – State Parliament and U Vancin for National Parliament.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a Falam resident stated that Falam Peace and Development Council (Chin State) forced one person per family, in Falam, to join USDP by forcing them to sign membership forms.

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A serious dispute erupted between young voters and the official in-charge of the polling booth in Tal village in Falam township, Chin state during the advance voting for the 2010 general election in Burma on November 1, when voters were being coerced.

The in-charge of the polling booth in Tal village was forcing villagers to cast their votes in favour of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) but some youths refused to comply, a source said.

Government employees will be unable to vote for the party of their choice in the advance voting procedure for the ensuing general elections to be conducted by the regime in Rihkhawdar new town, Falam township in Chin state western Burma because it won’t be a secret ballot.

“It will not be a secret vote as the polling booth in-charge will be aware of the votes being cast by the people,” said a local in Rihkhawdar town.

A village chairperson stated that the Chairperson of Falam Township Peace and Development Council,
Chin State instructed the population that at least 10 individuals per village have to join the USDP as new
party members.

In what could tantamount to a blatant attempt at flouting electoral laws the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has ordered its members and government employees, who have been transferred, to cast votes in advance from August 21 in Falam constituency, Chin state western Burma.

“It is only meant for USDP members. They want to gauge how many votes they have,” said a member of the township commission.

However, there is no certainty whether these votes will be officially accepted on 7 November, the day of the election.

SPDC donated 100,000,000 kyat to the Union Solidarity and Development Party to build a party office in Falam, Chin State. Building for this project has now begun. (Khonumthung 070510)

The Union Election Commission rejected the applications of three representatives to contest in the
elections from Chin State; U San Kyo from Hakha Township, U Ngun San from Thangtlang Township
representing Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), and U Thang Kyin from Falam Township
representing National Unity Party (NUP).

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Most of the seven Chin interviewees from five townships in Chin State were uninterested in the forthcoming election, but would cast their votes for Chin ethnic parties, they told Mizzima.