Burma concludes second round of referendum polling

by Mizzima News

Saturday, 24 May 2008 22:55

New Delhi – Burma concluded its last vestiges of a sham democracy on Saturday when polling booths in disaster-stricken areas of the Irrawaddy Delta and Rangoon division closed at 4 p.m. Burma's military rulers were forced to extend voting for 47 townships on a referendum to approve a draft constitution after Cyclone Nargis struck on May 2 and 3. The rest of the country went ahead with voting as scheduled on May 10. The government announced May 15 that 92.4 percent of voters taking part in the May 10 polling had approved the referendum, but critics and voters cited widespread irregularities. The Burmese regime claims that the referendum would pave the way for a civilian government but critics are certain that this would only perpetuate the junta's existence and legitimize its role in governance. In random interviews conducted by Mizzima on Saturday, several voters said turnout was extremely low. Many said that was because authorities had conducted a comprehensive door-to-door collection of advance votes. A resident in Rangoon's Insein Township said advance votes were collected on Friday, with authorities taking names, addresses, and identity card numbers of voters. "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 how we vote," said the local resident, adding that authorities on Saturday told him his vote had already been cast. In one case, a resident in Kandawkalay ward of Mingalar Taungnyunt Township in downtown Rangoon said she did not see any polling booths in her neighborhood. "The local officials have collected votes by visiting door-to-door since yesterday. So, there is no need to go to the booths," the resident said, adding that she also voted in advance. But a few voters who went to the polls said they cast 'no' ballots despite pressure from officials to approve the draft constitution. A resident of Sanpya ward in Tadarchuang village of Dala town in Rangoon division said his ballot was snatched by a local women's affairs association member who ticked 'yes' on it. "I told them if they didn't give me another ballot I would complain. Then they reluctantly gave me another ballot on which I crossed [no] and cast my vote," the resident said. Voters in several areas said authorities also threatened them if they didn't support the draft constitution. A voter in Rangoon's Thingankyun Township said, "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)." Myint Aye, a member of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters, who monitored vote counting at Kyimyindine Township in Rangoon, said 'yes' votes in several booth surpasses 'no' votes. He said in polling booth no 1, in Hteedan Einyar, the 'yes' votes outnumbered 'no' votes by 724 to 317, while in booth no 2, there were 902 'yes' votes to 263 'no.' In Zegyi ward booths 1 and 2, there were 1,350 'yes' votes to 595 'no' ballots. Many voters had their minds elsewhere on Saturday. A resident at Shan Street in Myaenikone in Rangoon, who has been helping cyclone victims, said, "How can I vote while many people are dying? It is more important to save lives. The government has already got what they want." Nyan Win, spokesman of Burma's opposition party, the National League for Democracy, said the military government does not care what people really think. "They are doing as they have planned and they will get what they want," he said. Writing by Mungpi; reporting by Mizzima staffs. < Prev   Next >