Salai Kyaw Moe Tun — A total of 1,031 special police officers have been appointed to protect the 1,031 polling stations that will operate in Chin State. Officials claim the police are needed to ensure a free and fair election in the upcoming election. The police will be given the same duties and authority as regular police officers, say officials with the Matupi Township Police Force.
“We have to arrange with the township administrations and ward/village administrations for local people to serve in the polling stations in their areas due to a lack of manpower in carrying out security duties in the upcoming election. In order to make these selections, we have to scrutinize them on various levels in line with Section 27, 28, 29, 30 of the Myanmar Police Force Act and submit them to the Myanmar Police Force. Then, the special police officers are selected,” said Police Major Htay Win, chief of the Matupi Township Police Force.
A special police training course was held in Chin State from October 20 to 30. One special police officer, four voluntary firefighters, and eleven staff from the election commission will take charge of each polling station.
“Also, it’s difficult to make phone calls here. So, we have to put the equipment in areas that can’t be contacted by phone. We have to consider security issues and telecommunications issues such as the telecommunication networks and the situation for those traveling from one place to another during the election period” the police chief said.
After receiving training the special police officers will serve in their assigned polling stations with the police force. They will be joined by voluntary fire brigade staff as well as ward and village administration officials on the election day.
Translated by Thida Linn with editing by BNI staff.
