Union Election Commission collects election funds from villagers

Karenni people are demanded cash for election fund after the villager's chief and assistant were invited to Township office at Loikaw (Capital Township of Karenni) on the early Sept. by Loikaw Peace and Development Council's chairman, Karenni sources said.

a branch office of the union election commission in Deemawso

Each family from Nwalaboe relocated village have to pay 500 Kyat to the Burmese authorities by Union Election Commission as support the government's election funds.

A Loikaw resident said, "We buy the ballot form with our own cash that we don't want to vote and as even not yet election." And he added "It is not hard to pay for 500 Kyat, but dissatisfy. Deemawso Township, the USDP campaigned into the region then squeezed cash from Taysoleh and Hsobawteh villages for party members fees. Party member fees 1000-2000 Kyat for each person, according to the local sources.

Meanwhile,The mayor of Burma’s former capital has told departmental heads to push municipal staff to cast their votes in favour of the main junta-backed party in polls on November 7, city employees said.

Karenni sources said that Karenni people do not know the candidates' biography those whose going to represent the party, the processes of elections, the parties' background and thir standing.

" They are afraided, they know a vote for the USDP is a vote for the regime. They will vote for the government even if they don't support them. If they have choice, no one won't vote for the junta's proxy party." Said a Karenni youth from Loikaw.

Villagers are constantly challenged by not only extortion of funds and fines given by the authorities, but also the frequently forced labor they must do for military.

There are 11 villages located in Nwalaboe village tract which consists of over 800 households.

The USDP filed a total of more than 1,100 candidates to contest seats in the People’s Assembly, the National Assembly and in the States and Regions Assemblies in the forthcoming election, making it the largest party. With 975 registered candidates, the National Unity Party (NUP) is the second largest.

Source:http://ktimes.org/en/news/regional/item/132-union-election-commission-collects-election-funds-from-villagers