Some 100 local residents staged a protest in Natmauk town of Magway Region on November 18 morning against alleged electoral irregularities including gatherings in the election campaign period and canvassing for votes by paying Covid cash assistance.
The protestors marched from the Irrigation Department to the Bogyoke Aung San’s Statue in Natmauk. They showed opposition to the illegal gatherings in the election campaign period in the Covid-19 crisis, some electoral irregularities such as enabling those under 18 to vote, arrival of ballot papers in wrong townships and canvassing for votes by paying Covid-19 cash assistance.
“In the election campaign period, some organizers said in the villages that Daw Aung Sann Suu Kyi should be supported because she provided Covid cash assistance. There were threats and opposition in the 2010 election. But in the 2020 election now, there were threats, unfair and lawless campaigns and canvassing for votes by paying cash assistance provided by the government. We staged this protest for justice. Without taking actions against these, the election commission unilaterally held the election,” said protest leader Zaw Win.
He submitted a letter to Natmauk Township Police Force for permission to protest with 30 people. But the police chief allowed only 25 people. When the protest occurred, about 100 people joined it, so the protestors had to disperse at the Bogyoke’s Statue.
