(Live Update)
Burma began its second phase of referendum to approve the draft constitution on Saturday with polling booths opening at 6 a.m. (local time) for the 47 disaster-hit townships in Irrawaddy and Rangoon division.
The Burmese military junta was forced to postpone the polling date for these 47 townships from the original date of May 10, after the killer Cyclone Nargis lashed the country's Irrawaddy delta and Rangoon division on May 2 and 3.
Mizzima will continue to update with situational reports on the polling, which will continue till 4 p.m. (local time) today.
More 'yes' votes in Kyimyindine
Update: May 24, 2008 29:30 - Burma Standard TimeAs the polling for the last bit of Burma's referendum closes at 4 p.m on Saturday, some booths counted the numbers of votes as was mentioned in the junta's referendum law.
However, as much expected Myint Aye from the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP) , who monitored the counting, said 'yes' votes surpasses 'No' votes in several booths.
The ballots that turn into 'Yes'
Update: May 24, 2008 29:20 - Burma Standard TimeLocal residents and members of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters said authorities at polling booths in Kyimyindine and North Okklapah townships in Rangoon forcibly tick ballots without the wishes of the voters and made them cast 'yes' votes.
Interview with residents and HRDP members Myint Aye (member of HRDP)
"Yesterday authorities came door to door to give us sample cards that include name, address, and registration number. It seems we have to tick 'yes' by ourselves, but when we arrive the polling booth we did not even have the chance to tick 'yes' they just did it for us. The officials working in the booth call us 'come come, what is your name…' and look for our names from the registration and took out a ballot paper and told us 'ok, sign here we will get the rest done..' and they just tick 'yes' and told us to cast in any bos we want."
"But for people who are aware they carried their our pen and cross the ballot. But for most people, they did not have to do anything. There are 20 wards in Kyimyindine township and the polling booths are made at Buddhist community halls or in monasteries."
Resident of Shwe Pauk Kan ward no. (13) in North Okkla township
"Today when I went to cast my vote, the ward chairman U Sinh Aye came in and took my ballot and tick 'yes'. And when I went again to cast the ballot in to the box, one of the official took the ballot from me saying 'let me check it otherwise it might be invalid' and look at my ballot. I went to cast the vote because they have said it is compulsory. I do not support but I also do not dare to go against it. I was thinking of casting a blank ballot. But they made it into 'Yes'."
Resident of Myimyindine Seikgyingasin ward
"I feel bad when elders and officials of our ward cast the ballot on my behalf because as much as I know I have the right to cast the ballot with whatever choice I want to make but they did it in advance for me."
"The authorities gave us sample ballot papers with a tick 'yes' in them and when I went to booth, they just took it from me. But when I asked our headman, 'am I not to cast my vote?' he said 'No need to cast anymore it is already taken in advance'."
"They never told me that they are collecting my vote in advance. I never knew I had cast my vote. They have come and collected my identity card number, with my address and name but they never told me it was advance voting. So, I really feel bad as I could not vote with my own choice."
Poll booths closed in Thingankyun Township
Update: May 24, 2008 28:52 - Burma Standard TimeAs scheduled, Poll booths at Thingankyun Township in Rangoon closed as the clock strikes four in the evening.
"At 4 p.m the booths are closed. But till now there was no counting of the votes. There are many people who did not vote. And most people in our locality cast 'No' votes. There are several USDA members watching over the polling. But everything was smooth with out any disturbances. We did not care about the consequences and cast 'no'. But the authorities are also clever, they have collected all the 'yes' votes in advance because they know people coming here will vote 'No'."
Voting on behalf of family members
Update: May 24, 2008 28:45 - Burma Standard TimeInterview with a voter in Rangoon's Thanlyin town
"The polling booths are open from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. the voting in our place Thanlyin town's Myoma Taung ward is not at all honest. The authorities said we have to cast our own votes but they accept people to vote on behalf of their family members. U Thein Lwin, who cast his votes at the no. (1) polling booth also cast votes for his six family members. As far as I know more than 30 families have been casting votes on behalf of their family members."
"Authorities in the polling booths force the people to tick their votes. Specially those who does not know anything, they would ask them to tick their ballot papers. But for me I crossed the ballot because I don't like the way they are doing things. In Thanlyin there are 18 wards, and people said the same things happened in other booths too."
Interview with a worker at the petroleum factory in Yenan ward no. (1)
"On our ballot papers we have to write or name, father's name, address, work registration number. Our officer said if we cross the ballot papers they will not take responsibility of our job. The power and energy minister himself warn us that those who cross are rebelling. He came and told us in advance. For me I cast my vote in advance."
"there are about 2000 workers, and if we add with their family members it is about 4000. I stay outside of the factory, so I gave advance vote. I don't know for people who stayed in the employees ward. I signed on the registration."
'Tick it like this'
Update: May 24, 2008 28:28 - Burma Standard TimeInterview with a voter from Laydawngkan ward in South Dagon township in Rangoon
"Our polling booth is inside the school. The authorities at the booth will tell most elderly people, who are illiterate to 'tick it like this' and would tick it for them and asked them to cast in the ballot box. For workers in Hercules textile company in east Laydawngkan, since the employers did not give holiday, they are required to cast votes inside the factory itself."
Famous comedian not interested in polling
Update: May 24, 2008 28:20 - Burma Standard TimeBurma's prominent actor and comedian Thura (a.k.a) Zarganar said he is not interested in casting his vote in the referendum polling.
"My only concern now is how to help the people who affected by the Cyclone. Most of us are only interested in helping the people, no one is interested in the polling. For me I don't even know where the booths are. And I don't think it will make any difference even if I go and cast my vote."
Zargarnar and his artist colleagues from music, film and literary society have been helping the victims of cyclone in their own capacities.
Polling station officer claims huge voter turnout
Update: May 24, 2008 26:50 - Burma Standard TimeA polling station officer in Rangoon's Thanlyin Township said there has been an impressive voter turnout for today's referendum.
"Polling is being conducted in the whole township and I am in-charge. There has been a good voter turnout today. We will be closing the booths shortly. Everything has been fine and went smoothly. The voter turnout is good."
Prominent Actor Kyaw Thu unaware of referendum
Burma's prominent actor Kyaw Thu said he was not even aware of the referendum polling being held for 47 townships in Rangoon and Irrawaddy division as he was fully engaged in helping out the victims of Cyclone Nargis.
"Honestly, I am not even aware that the referendum polling is today. I will not cast my vote because there are volunteers who came to our office between 7 a.m to 8 p.m to help the cyclone victims. So, when I reached home the polling booths will be closed."
Kyaw Thu, who headed the Free Funeral Service, has been engaged in helping victims of the cyclone since May 9, going to places in Rangoon division. The group has now expanded their operation to the Irrawaddy delta and have been distributing basic ration such as rice, oil, salt and clothes and plastic sheeting to more than 100 places in Rangoon and Irrawaddy divisions.
'Tick it like this'
Update: May 24, 2008 26:30 - Burma Standard TimeA voter in Thwante town of Rangoon division said authorities showed voters in the booth how to 'tick the votes'.
"There are two polling booths in our locality Zaethit ward. Authorities asked every one who came to vote, to 'tick'. The authorities and even the commission of the booth Ma Myint and Daw Amar would tell people what to do . The authorities including the chairman of the ward came from house to house and gave us sample ballot papers. At the back of the ballot, there were the names, addresses, and identity card numbers."
"Most of us crossed the ballot, and when I asked people close to me they all said they have crossed the ballots."
"There were no policemen but there were about 10 people including USDA members. One of my friends from Moemaka village in Thwante township told me that they were given only a slip of paper and were told to return saying their votes had been cast."
Worries about survival
Interview with a Buddhist monk at the old-age home in Pawdawmu ward of Bogale in Irrawaddy division.
"I don't know if the refugees cast their votes but we are worried rergarding their survival and are collecting money to get some aid for them. Nobody came to say anything here. Many people said they are not even aware of the polling today. They are struggling to survive because it is more important. They are finding it difficult to get enough food."
Referendum: hardly any enthusiasm
Update: May 24, 2008 26:01 - Burma Standard TimeA shop owner in Rangoon's Hledan market said she is not half as excited about casting her vote as she is about her business in her little shop.
"I am opening my shop and have no time to cast my vote. I don't even know where the booths are. I am more interested in selling from my shop then casting votes."
No time for voting in referendum
Update: May 24, 2008 25:54 - Burma Standard TimeInterview with a social worker from the Burmese film industry helping cyclone victims
"I did not vote today, because I was not registered as I had to shift my home. I shifted within Rangoon itself but because of it I did not get registration. And I did not even try to register myself to where I shifted. Because I was busy travelling to the cyclone affected areas. I had to go to places and help people. I went to Dea Da Ye, Kun Chan Kone, and other places with colleagues from the film industry and other NGOs. That's why I gave voting a miss."
Relief for cyclone first priority
A resident at Shan street in Myaenikone in Rangoon, who has been helping cyclone victims, said it is unfair and unjust to be voting while several people are on the brink of death.
"How can I vote while many people are dying. It is more important to save lives. The government has already got what they want. I don't even know where the booths are. Nobody in my locality seems to be interested in the referendum. I am now planning to go to Hlaing Tharyar to help cyclone victims. All of our friends will gather and bring food supplies."
No announcement of referendum
Update: May 24, 2008 25:15 - Burma Standard TimeEven as local authorities became busy with the referendum polling for the 47 disaster-hit townships in Irrawaddy and Rangoon division, the junta made no public announcement abiut it.
Local residents in Rangoon said, the state-run television channels MRTV, MRTV3 and MRTV4 has not broadcast any news or information regarding the referendum.
Relief the priority not referendum
Update: May 24, 2008 25:09 - Burma Standard TimeA resident in Tamwe township of Ragoon said, "Local authorities collected the votes in our ward about ten days ago. 'We all cast 'yes' votes because they said we don't need to come on May 24' so in order to avoid all the hassle we cast our votes in advance. Even if we go to vote it makes no difference because they have already got what they want. And they will do everything to win. What is important now is relief for the cyclone victims."
Voters intimidated to cast 'Yes' votes
Update: May 24, 2008 25:02 - Burma Standard TimeA voter in Rangoon's Thingankyun township said, "authorities deployed people with t-shirts on that had a tick 'Yes' sign on them, and whenever confused people asked how to vote they showed the sign on their T-shirt and said 'you have to tick like this'. This is the kind of campaigning that is on for 'yes' votes.
Besides, the headman of the locality kept shouting 'vote 'yes' if you vote 'No' you will be penalized with three years in prison and a fine of 100,000 kyat (approximately USD 100). Since they appear to be really taking action, people were scared and cast the 'yes' vote."
Boycotting referendum
Update: May 24, 2008 24:52 - Burma Standard TimeInterview with a Rangoon resident
"I did not go to cast my vote today. Earlier I thought I would cross (no) the ballot, but I changed my mind. I want to boycott the polling, so I stayed at home. They [authorities] have already announced> shamelessly that the rest of the country has already supported the draft constitution with more than 92 percent votes. So, it does not make any difference, so I am staying home."
Disinterest in voting
Update: May 24, 2008 24:42 - Burma Standard TimeA voter in Rangoon's Lanmadaw Township said he was not interested in taking part in the referendum process as the results are already known.
"There is this booth in the primary school on third street in ward no. 1. There were several firefighters outside the booth and also about seven USDA members. But there were only a few people who come to vote. I saw only about 40 to 50 people. USDA members were announcing and exhorting people in the locality to come and vote. But with the result from the rest of the country already announced saying over 92 percent supported the draft constitution; I did not feel like voting anymore."
Forcible ticking of votes in Dala Tadarchuang village
Update: May 24, 2008 24:31 - Burma Standard TimeInterview with a resident of Sanpya ward in Tadarchuang village of Dala town
"When I went to the booth to cast my vote, the chairman of the women's affair Daw Myint Myint Than came and snatched my ballot and ticked 'Yes'. I was actually about to cast the 'No' vote. So, I asked her to give me another ballot, but the authorities said they had given me my ballot. But I told them if they don't give me another ballot I will complain. Then they reluctantly gave me another ballot on which I crossed and cast my vote."
"It is not only me that the women's affair chairman and their members snatched the ballots from. I saw about 4 to 5 people whose ballots were snatched in front of me. Daw Myint Myint Than is actually waiting for people to come in to the secret room where we have to vote. It is not at all free polls."
Interview with another voter from Sanpya ward
"Yesterday at about 6 in the evening a local ward official came to my house and gave me a ballot paper which had already been ticked (yes), and asked me to sign against my name. And this morning when I went to the polling booth, I asked them to give me a new ballot because my ballot had already been ticked (yes). They took about five minutes and gave me a new ballot. Then a young man came and asked me 'shall I tick for you' and I said 'no I can do it myself' and I crossed the ballot and cast it."
Referendum without polling booths
Update: May 24, 2008 24:29 - Burma Standard TimeKandawkalay ward, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township, Rangoon
"There are no polling booths in Kandawkalay. The local officials have collected the votes by visiting door to door since yesterday. So, there is no need to go to the booths," a local resident in Kandawkalay ward told Mizzima.
PhahSahpahlah ward, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township
"Yesterday, local ward officials came to our homes and told us to cast our votes and that only one person from each house could come and cast votes on behalf of the family. So, I went to cast the votes So far I have seen about a 100 or more people coming to the booth in ward no. 1 polling booth," a voter at the ward no. (1) polling booth told Mizzima.
Rejecting freely
A voter in Rangoon's Thingakyun Township said he had freely voted against the draft constitution at a ware house polling booth.
"There are not many people in the booth. There are only about 20 people and everything was smooth. The polling booth was set up in a ware house. I went at about 7 a.m. I crossed the ballot and cast it. It was quite free and there was no trouble. I did not see any policemen and there were about 20 offcicials working in the booth."
Defying the authorities
Update: May 24, 2008 24:02 - Burma Standard TimeA voter who went to cast his vote in Rangoon's Dagon Myothit, ward no. 72, said he defied the authorities by casting the 'No' vote in front of officials.
"The authorities gave us the ballots in advance. And when I arrived at the booth they collected the advance ballots and issued me a new ballot. And when I was about to cast my vote, I saw the ballot was already ticked 'yes'.
There were details of my name, father's name, address, and identity card number, and on the other side there were options of ticking and crossing. The authorities seemed know what I was about to cast. So I asked one of them that If I cast a 'No' will the authorities like the USDA, women's affair associations and Swan Arrshin, take action against me in the future. Then they told me that they will not trouble me in the future."
"I told them that since I am going to cast randomly I am afraid of being taken action against for what I choose. But they assured me that there will be no repercussion for what I choose as there is the constitution that protects people and took out a copy of the draft constitution. Then I told them that the draft constitution should have been made public for about two months. And I cast the 'No' vote."
Advance votes collected since yesterday in Insein
Update: May 24, 2008 23:51 - Burma Standard TimeResidents in Rangoon's Insein Township complained that local authorities have collected advance votes from the people since Friday, May 23.
The local authorities collected the people's name, addresses, and identity card numbers.
"We had to give the names of the people who are at home and who are travelling. We did not see any ballot papers. It is clear that they will vote as they like on our behalf. And it will make no difference no matter what we vote', the local resident in Insein told Mizzima.
Crosses on behalf of the family Relief priority rather then referendum
Update: May 24, 2008 23:43 - Burma Standard TimeA voter in Bogale town's Myoma ward said she went to the polling booth at about 10 a.m. and cast 'No' votes on behalf of her family members.
"This morning my brother went to booths and cast 'No' votes for all 10 family members. He said there were a lot of people in the booth," the voters sister told Mizzima.
"Though there are some people casting their votes, there are also a lot of people prioritizing relief efforts. People like Daw Myint Myint Mu (member of the Human Rights Promoters and Defenders) have gone out since 9 a.m. to donate rice to cyclone victims."
Crossing the ballot: Like father like daughter
Update: May 24, 2008 12:02 - Burma Standard TimeA woman from South Okklapah Township
"At 6 a.m. today I went with my father to the poling booth. I had made my decision. I am like my father. I crossed the ballot like my father's daughter. There was no one who forced us to tick (yes). I crossed the ballot without caring for anyone. They [authorities] looked at me. They had no uniforms on. All of were in plain clothes dress. There were about five or six people.
I ticked 'Yes' as it makes no difference
A woman voter in Rangoon's Thuwana Township said she had gone to the polling booth No. 24 in her locality this morning. She said since the authorities are sure to convert any 'No' vote to the 'Yes', she cast a 'Yes' vote.
"They [authorities] took my pictures. There were members of the USDA and ward officials monitoring the booth. I went alone to cast votes for my whole family. There were quite a lot of people near the booth. We were told earlier by the authorities to cast the 'Yes'. I signed once I arrived at the booth. Even if I had cast the 'No' vote they would turn it into a 'Yes' vote, so it does not make any difference."
