Uncertainty over permission for election monitors, party representatives or the media to enter polling stations within military compounds in Pyay District.

Uncertainty over permission for election monitors, party representatives or the media to enter polling stations within military compounds in Pyay District.

November 5, 2015
Thiha Lwin (Myit Ma Kha)

The Pyay District Election Commission Office has made it known that there is uncertainty as to whether election monitors, party representatives or the media will be permitted to enter polling stations located within military compounds in Pyay District, Western Bago Region.

U Kyaw Nyunt, Chairman of the Pyay District Election Commission said, “There is an understanding between the Chairman U Kyi Oo Aye and the Senior General Commander. It can already be found in the law that civilian election monitors and party representatives have permission to visit and monitor military compound polling stations. There have also been negotiations been military compound polling stations and relevant Township Commissions. We do know though that entrance to some places is completely forbidden for security reasons.”

It is also known from the Pyay District Election Commission that the Townships of Pan Taung and Thay Kone are home to many military families and the most amount of military and military owned factories with in the Pyay District.

“In Thay Kone Township there 7 battalions under the control of battalion 66. They’ve got 5 polling stations there. I don’t whether there is going to be 2 or even 3 polling stations at this place. We are going to go and check again. In Thay Kone Township there is permission to enter polling stations but Pan Taung Township on the other hand is not so open.” said U Soe Win, Chairman of the Thay Kone Township Election Commission.

There are 5 and 13 military compound polling stations in Thay Kone and Pan Taung Township’s of Pyay District respectively.

“Some polling stations aren’t located within military compounds. Many polling stations are will be in military training schools. Civilians and party representatives will need to negotiate to enter. We are talking with the Township Commission to find out whether or not there is permission to enter military compound polling stations.” said U Yae Din, Chairman of the National League for Democracy of Pan Taung Township.

The Election Commission has made it known that there are currently 8 military compound polling stations that have been relocated to outside of military grounds as they were located in a military area whereby permission to enter could not be given because of matters related to security.

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