There are illegal practices in advance voting, and a free and fair election is crucially important in building democracy, said Dr Thet Thet Khaing, chairperson of People’s Pioneer Party during a press conference of her party held in Mayangon Township on October 31.
She pointed out the malpractices seen in Mayangon Township from October 29 to 31 in the ongoing advance voting process showing some evidential photos.
“We are now seeing advance voting. I have collected evidence for October 29, 30 and 31. These are illegal practices and we hereby present evidence. A free and fair election is crucial like a human life in establishing democracy,” Dr Thet Thet Khaing said.
She said with trust in democracy, she formed a apolitical party. Although all parties have responsibility to ensure a free and fair election, the Union Election Commission is mainly responsible, she added.
“As per the 2008 constitution, the election commission is formed by the ruling party. So the commission will favour the ruling party. This is the point we have to amend the constitution,” she said.
She alleged that the ruling party has appointd its members at lower level election sub-commissions. Such a poly has been used since 2017-2018 with intent to avoid election losses in the places where the party is like to lose, she explained.
PPP Vice Chairperson (4) Ngu Wah Win gave a clarification on some practices incompatible with the law and rules in conducting advance voting. She said National League for Democracy members participated in the advance voting process at Polling Station No (20) in Mayangon Township on October 30. They voiced voting for the NLD. A car with NLD stickers and flags was seated outside the polling station, she explained.
She pointed out that such an act violates Section 62 of the election rule with the penalty of not more than a year in prison or a fine of not more than Ks100,000.
She then clarified the advancing voting process in three days in Mayangon Township explaining the illegal practices together with the evidential photos.
“As we make our endeavours in our nascent democracy, such an act will cast doubt over election decreasing democratic norms. This badly disrupts the path we have chosen,” Ngu Wah Win commented.
