San Maung Than — Twelve party members from the Arakan National Party (ANP), who were arrested after being accused of threatening voters not to vote for the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), were released on bail on November 30, according to one of the accused, U Aung Than Win from Aikwan Village in the Arakan State’s Minbya Township,
Six ANP members from Khaunglaung Chaung Village, two people from Aikwan Village, two people from Ngazinyine Chaung Village, and two people from Minbya town have been accused of making the threats. Among the accused is the wife of ANP Minbya’s Lower House seat winning candidate, U Sitt Naing.
Police officers came to the home of one of the plaintiffs in Aikwan Village on December 2nd to take photos and question neighbours, U Aung Than Win said.
“They have been charged with dishonest canvassing and having an unlawful association under Section 59 (h) and (i) [of the Election Law]. The case has been filed against them at Minbya Township Police Station,” said U Thein Zan,the information officer of Minbya Township’s ANP.
U Aung Than Win, however, denied making any threats. He said he only went to the plaintiff’s home to take the ballots because the polling station officer gave them to a USDP member.
Minbya Township Police Inspector Sein Tun Oo confirmed that the case has been filed against the ANP members but explained that the case has been filed by the voters and not by the USDP candidates.
Although the police have released the accused on bail, they have yet to have their day in court.
