No Vote, No Shelter: Junta Forces Myanmar IDPs to Cast Early Ballots

Myanmar’s military regime is pressuring displaced people (IDPs) in Mandalay and Sagaing unless they cast advance votes for its December-January election, residents told The Irrawaddy.

Authorities claim the move aims to ensure “eligible voters do not lose their right to vote.” In practice, however, displaced families say they are being forced to sign pledges and cast advance ballots under threat of losing aid, and most significantly, shelter.

More than 1.4 million IDPs are sheltering across the two regions, according to the UN refugee agency.