Around 3,000 local residents took to the streets in the town of Yesagyo, Pakokku District, in support of the Myanmar’s military and in protest against the Union Election Commission (UEC) on January 17. 

The protestors assembled near Gugyi Monastery in the town and walked along the busy streets. 

Holding vinyl placards, they chanted slogans such as “Take action against the undutiful UEC; calling an emergency parliamentary session; those inciting division between the military and the people are our enemy; those disrespecting are our enemy; and fight against those wanting to rely on foreign countries.” 

The protestors then gathered in Nantha Haywun Park where a message of monk Shinmataung was read and protest leader Maung Maung Naing gave a talk. 

“As the 2020 election results came out along with election fraud and irregularities, the military rechecked the voter lists and issued statements. On the 15 January issue of The Mirror Daily, writer Maung Sa Ga wrote an article saying that the Tatmadaw (military) should not intervene and that the decision of the UEC is the ultimate result of the election. The Tatmadaw will continue its producers within the framework of law. We support it,” said Maung Maung Naing.  

The protest was staged after permission had been sought from authorities.