Sai Aung Myo Lwin — Ethnic Shan reported only being allowed to cast their votes in 3 ballot boxes and not 4; the fourth ballot box was to choose what ethnic affairs minister they wanted. When they arrived at the polling station in Nanmeelaung Village, Indawgyi area in Mohnyin Township they discovered their nationalities weren’t included on voter registration list. All of them had their Shan nationality identity cards, but it didn’t make a difference.
Daw Tin Nyunt told Shanni News that she and 20 people weren’t allowed to vote for ethnic affairs ministers.
Daw Khin Sein Myint, central committee member for Tailai (Red Shan) Nationalities Development Party and her family also were denied. But after reporting it to the election commission they were allowed to vote in 4 ballot boxes.
U Kyaw Oo, Shan Affairs candidate for TNDP, told Shanni News that ethnic Shan and Bamar shouldn’t be refused their vote for ethnic affairs candidates.
Similar incidents have taken place around Hpakant Township, according to Ko Khin Maung Lwin, chairman for TNDP in the township.
U Maung Maung Kun, Kachin State Election Commission chairman, said they could have done something about it if they reported it yesterday, but nothing could be done about on Election Day.
Ethnic Lisu, Rawang, Shan, and Bamar people were all supposed to be able to vote for an ethnic affairs minister of their choice in Kachin State.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff
