Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – In the final days before Burma’s long-awaited general election, allegations continue to mount against the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) regarding violations in electoral canvassing.
The latest allegation aired by activists, political parties and independent candidates concerns the forcible collection of absentee votes. The National Unity Party (NUP), the second largest party to the USDP in the polling, is among those lodging the complaint. Mizzima interviewed Democratic Party (Myanmar) candidate Thu Wei regarding the most recent charges levelled against the USDP.
Is the USDP collecting absentee votes in Rangoon?
Yes, it is happening in Rangoon. They take absentee votes from both private and government employees under their influence. The USDP and local Peace and Development Council (PDC) are doing this work. They then surrender these absentee votes to local election commissions. But, we have protested against this practice.
Can absentee votes be given to the USDP only?
They can be given for other parties too, but I asked some of those who voted for our party and they explained that [this was not the case]. The USDP and local PDC members can tamper with them [absentee votes] at any time after the voters leave, they said. So, they don’t want other people to go and cast absentee votes as they aren’t credible.
Can you tell me in which townships such violations have taken place?
Even in Mingala Taungnyunt [Rangoon] constituency. They told me their experiences after casting absentee votes.
We’ve heard that the NUP has lodged a complaint against the USDP collecting absentee votes from Mergui fishermen. Your party candidate is also from this constituency, isn’t he?
In Dawei (Tavoy) too. They took absentee votes even at palm oil plantations, from fishery businessmen and farmers. Soldiers and policemen also had to cast their absentee votes. Some of them are relatives of mine and some of them are my friends. They told me how they had to cast their votes in advance. A police major ordered all officers to cast their absentee votes in his presence, and an army commander ordered the same of his subordinates.
Did they have to vote for the USDP?
Yes, they informed me that they had to vote for the USDP.
What is the main complaint in the absentee vote case concerning electoral laws?
As per the electoral laws, an absentee vote means a vote cast by someone who will not be able to go to the polling booth on the polling date. This includes sick people, those who will be away from home and those who will be on duty that day. Officially, absentee votes can only be cast on the November 6. But, people have been told to cast their votes earlier by reason of being away from their homes on that day.
What instances of coercive absentee voting have occurred in your constituency, Mingala Taungnyunt?
There is an amusement park for children called Happy Land, which has two to three hundred employees. My rival candidate, Labour Minister Aung Kyi, forced the owner … to order his employees to cast their votes for his USDP under threat of having his business licence revoked. He [the owner] then related the incident to his employees; that he was under pressure by the junta minister. He told them they must vote for the USDP or they will lose their jobs.
