Factory workers to vote in special booths

Nam Davies

Thursday, 01 May 2008 19:49

New Delhi – Factories in Rangoon industrial zones have been ordered to arrange special polling stations for their workers by the Burmese military junta authorities. An official from Mingaladon industrial zone on Khayaybin Street told Mizzima that the authorities had instructed the industrial zones to arrange special polling stations for their workers who hail from elsewhere in Burma.  "The authorities said that they will arrange for the workers to vote at the factories. But they haven't yet told us the exact date, maybe it will be on the scheduled polling date on May 10," he said.  "The workers of the industrial zone administrative office are not among them because they are from Rangoon. They meant only workers who come from other places. There are over 1,000 workers at each factory", he added.  This instruction covers all factories with over 500 workers and all these votes must be transferred to the authorities by the factory management, he said.  Thai based Burmese observer U Win Myint pointed out that forcing the workers, government employees and retired army personnel to vote in the presence of their employers and their departmental heads is contrary to free and fair voting and is aimed at  trying to avoid getting 'No' votes in the referendum. < Prev   Next >