Kaw Mu residents accuse USDP give misleading voting information

The Union Solidarity and Development Party are accused of local residents of explaining to voters how to ‘incorrectly’ vote in Kaw Mu Town where the National League for Democracy’s, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will contest tomorrow’s parliamentary by-election.

A local woman, (who requested her name not be used) accused the USDP of giving them information that would disqualify their vote.

“The USDP party explained and demonstrated with pictures how to vote. They told us to make a tick if we like Daw Su (Aung San Suu Kyi), and mark a cross at the USDP spot, if we don’t like USDP. If we mark a cross on USDP, our ballot will be disqualified.”

The local witness told Karen News that there were about 1,000 local people, who attended the USDP how-to-vote explanation, but many local residents from Kaw Mu Town didn’t join the event.

“Most of those attending came in government department vehicles, around 15 jeeps and light trucks. Most of them were USDP members from Shwe Pyi Tar, Hlaing Tar Yar, and Dala townships. It was just them [USDP] trying to show their strength.”

A stall owner from the town market told Karen News that most of the residents are voting for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as residents believe the NLD will work on behalf of the majority of people.

“Daw Su [Daw Aung San Suu Kyi] will be able to work for people – the USDP has failed them. We voted for the USDP in 2010 election – there were no other parties running such as the NLD. The USDP has done nothing for us. Now we will vote for the NLD.”

A Karen woman from Kaw Mu town told Karen News.
“We believe in Daw Su [Daw Aung San Suu Kyi] and she is also the daughter of General Aung San. She is registered in a Karen village household. All of us will vote for Daw Su.”

The USDP people from Kaw Mu Town and Ma Kyi Kan village organized their misleading ‘how to vote’ event by distributed pamphlets in front of the houses at night and also promised to offer 3000 Kyat to every listener who turned up.

A local resident said.
“No one wants to take their pamphlets when they try to give it to us in person. So they [USDP] leave their pamphlets in front of our houses at night. We were curious and had a look at the pamphlets in the morning, but we then tore them up.”

There are three political parties contesting the Kaw Mu Township by-election – Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from the NLD, U Tin Yee from the Democracy and Peace Party and Dr. Soe Min from the USDP.