It has been reported that two individuals who entered a polling station, recorded videos with a mobile phone, canvassed voters to cast ballots for their preferred candidate, and verbally threatened polling station officials have been charged under the Law on the Protection of the Multi-Party Democratic General Election from Obstruction, Interference, and Destruction.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of December 28 at the primary and middle school (Gyo Phyu Kone) polling station in Gyo Phyu Kone section of Mayangon Village, Thaton Township. The two individuals involved were identified as Daw Tin Mar Way, aged 41, and Ma Sanay Ma (also known as Ma Khin Moe Hlaing, also known as Ma Khin Mo Lar), aged 35, both residents of the Gyo Phyu Kone section of Mayangon Village. They allegedly violated polling station regulations by bringing mobile phones into the polling station, which is prohibited, and by taking photos and recording videos. In addition, they reportedly persuaded a voter to cast a ballot for a particular parliamentary candidate, disobeyed the polling station officer’s lawful instructions, and disrupted the duties of the polling station officer, deputy polling station officer, and polling station staff by recording video footage with a mobile phone inside the polling station.

It was also learned that while the secretary of the Mayangon Village Tract Sub-Commission, U Aung Thet Htwe, was mediating the situation, Ma Sanay Ma made a phone call from inside the polling station to U San Win Naing, a candidate representing the “People’s Party.”

“Regarding the incident that occurred at the primary and middle school (Gyo Phyu Kone) polling station, the relevant polling station officials filed a case at the Thein Seik area police station. Security personnel have also detained Daw Tin Mar Way and Ma Sanay Ma and are conducting investigations,” said a source close to the security forces.

In connection with the incident, it has been reported that Ma Sanay Ma and Ma Khin Mar Way, who brought a mobile phone into the polling station where it was not permitted, recorded video inside the polling station, and interfered with the duties of polling station officials, have been arrested and charged at Thein Seik area police station under Section 24(a) of the Law on the Protection of the Election from Obstruction, Interference, and Destruction.