Myanmar junta forces national flag raising and mandatory voter list checks in Magway and Yangon

Mizzima

The military junta has forced the hoisting of national flags and threatened to take action against those who fail to do so in Magway Region and Hlaing Tharyar in Yangon Region, according to local residents.

Residents stated that the junta is applying pressure on shops and homes in its controlled-areas, including Magway, Minbu, Minhla, Salin, Aunglan, and Pwintbyu.

Furthermore, it is reported that the General Administration Department (GAD) is forcibly selling flags, with prices ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 Kyats for a flag including a bamboo pole.

“They came and told us about three days ago, saying we would be arrested if we didn’t hoist it. Even today, I saw flags raised at shops at the entrance of the town. People are hoisting them out of fear, though there are still some shops that haven’t,” a resident of Magway told Mizzima.

A local reporter from Magway told Mizzima that the junta instructed GAD officials in the third week of December to enforce flag hoisting at every house in the towns within Minbu and Thayet districts. Residents were told every household must fly the flag and were threatened with legal action.

“The GAD is selling the flags. There are reports of threats that those who do not hoist them will be arrested and imprisoned. Locals are buying them out of fear, even though daily-wage workers are already struggling just to afford food,” the reporter added.

While specific dates varied by town, residents were told the flags must be flown until Independence Day on 4 January. Consequently, some residents began hoisting them the day after the announcement, according to Magway locals.

In Yangon Region, ward administrators in Hlaing Tharyar Township, specifically in Wards 1, 2, 3, and most other areas, are also forcing every household to fly the national flag for Independence Day. The Hlaing Tharyar Scout group released a statement on 23 December, saying flags would be sold for 20,000 Kyats each.

The Rangoon Scout Network (RSN) noted that while the flag-hoisting order has been announced in Hlaing Tharyar, they have not yet heard of similar mandates in other townships.

Additionally, in certain wards of Hlaing Tharyar, Lanmadaw, Thingangyun, and Dala townships, announcements were made via loudspeakers on 23 December, urging people to check voter lists at ward administration offices and stating that voting is mandatory, according to residents.

According to residents in Magway and Yangon, the Election Commission has been repeatedly urging the public to verify voter lists as the date for the junta-organized election draws nearer.