Thandaunggyi election restricted to military compounds amid rocket attacks and shelling

Mizzima

The military junta’s first-phase general election in Thandaunggyi Township was conducted exclusively within military bases on 28 December, effectively excluding the general public from the voting process.

According to local residents, polling stations were only established inside the Bayintnaung Base and the Light Infantry Battalion 124 camp. Ordinary civilians, who make up a population of over 30,000 in the area, were not issued voter lists or allowed to cast ballots. While state-run media broadcasted reports claiming that residents voted peacefully, the junta failed to provide any photographic or video evidence of civilian participation.

“The people of Thandaunggyi did not get to vote. I heard only staff were able to. There were no polling stations in the town either. Polling stations were only set up in two locations inside the military compounds. No one received a voter list,” said a local woman from Thandaunggyi.

A religious leader close to the administration confirmed that the election was not held in any of the five wards in the town. Another resident added, “There were no polling stations here, and no one told us to come and vote. It seems they were only inside the military camps.”