The Tatmadaw (Military) will not allow political parties to conduct election campaigns in military areas as it is an armed organization as well as a civil service organization, said Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, secretary of Tatmadaw True News Information Team. 

He disclosed the information in response to a media question during a press conference of the team held at the Defence Services Museum in Nay Pyi Taw on June 23. 

“As far as I know, election campaigns will not be allowed in our military areas. The Tatmadaw is an armed organization as well as a civil service organization. Our organization is working in the military area,” said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. 

 Myanmar has seen armed conflict till today due to the existence of various armed organizations holding different ideologies and engaging in different political activities, he said. 

“We have had experience. During independence struggle, there were different political ideologies within the Tatmadaw.  Consequently, even whole battalions or regiments went underground. But they did not carry out organizational tasks. Communist groups went underground. This is why I want to say that election campaign in military areas is not possible,” he commented. 

He said there are no restrictions on the voting right of servicemen adding that they can vote freely and independently. 

The Brigadier General said like in the previous elections, the Tatmadaw will help during the election period such as security measures and timely transport of ballot papers to the regions with poor transportation.