Two persons who led a protest in front of the Union Election Commission office in Nay Pyi Taw have been sentenced to one month in prison and labour under section 19 of the peaceful assembly and procession law, according to Ottarathiri Township court.

The court reached the verdict on November 12 on Zaw Lin and Nyi Nyi who led the protest in which protestors chanted their opposition to the results of the election describing it as unfair.

“Their case is just simple and normal. When the defendants appeared in court, they were asked if they were guilty or not. They pleaded their guilty. Then, the court ruled the decision. The penalty is one month in jail plus labour.

About 60 people staged the protest in front of the UEC office on the morning of November 11. They were carrying vinyl placards reading the unfair election results are not wanted. The crowd then dispersed after they were stopped by police.

The two protest leaders were charged with violating the peaceful assembly and procession law under section 19 at Ottarathiri Police Station on November 11.

Section 19 of the law says anyone who engaged in an assembly or procession without seeking permission from authorities shall face a prison sentence of not more than three months or a fine of not more than Ks30,000 or both.