A man from Chaungzone sentenced to 17 years for tearing candidate list and obstructing public order

A man from Chaungzone Township has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for violating the Election Protection Act and disrupting public order, according to family members and close associates.

U Kyaw Myint, 65, was arrested on November 4 after authorities found that he had torn down a list of candidates for the upcoming general elections posted at the Kwan Yeik village administration office in Chaungzone Township. Following his arrest, the Chaungzone Township Police Station charged him under Sections 26(a) and 24(a) of the Law on the Protection of Multi-Party Democracy General Elections from Obstruction, Sabotage, and Disruption.

On November 19, the Mawlamyine District Court handed down a 17-year prison sentence, a family acquaintance said. The sentence was increased because he was additionally accused of throwing stones at the administration office, leading to charges under other relevant laws besides the Election Law.

Under Section 24(a) of the Election Protection Law, offenders face a prison term ranging from three to seven years and a possible fine.

The first person prosecuted under this law was Ko Nay Thway from Taunggyi, Shan State, who received a seven-year prison sentence from the Taunggyi Township Court on September 9.

According to the Ministry of Information, nearly 100 people have been prosecuted under the Election Protection Law in recent weeks.