Q: Special election police officers will be assigned during Election Day in Karen State, how many officers will you appoint in each township? What have you prepared for this?

A: We have appointed one special election police officers for each polling station in Myanmar. There are 656 polling stations in Karen State: 205 stations in Hpa-an Township; 122 stations in Hlaingbwe Township; 99 stations in Thandaunggyi Township; 58 stations in Kawkareik Township; 54 stations in Kyain Seikgyi Township; and 51 stations in Myawaddy Township. So, we have appointed 656 special election police officers.

As for being prepared, we’ve focused on teaching the special election police about providing security for polling stations, the organizations they need to work with at these stations and who they need to report to in case a problem arises with contact numbers. To contact the Myanmar Police Force, we have given them contact numbers for (relevant) police stations, township administrators, and district administrators.

The special duty of this force is to have a successful and safe Election Day and without any problems.

Q: What other organizations will you cooperate on these security issues?

A: Mostly, we will work with polling station staff. They will connect the special election police to ward, village, township, and district security management committees. Out of these committees, if a problem arises, the township negotiation committee will be their immediate connection and their representatives will solve whatever issue there may be.

The committees will support both the special police and the Myanmar Police Force in upholding the law and retaining security. If there is a problem (at polling stations), the special election police will be the first to report it.

After receiving information about an issue from the special election police, the township negotiation committee will be the first to address it. The regular police force will be only called on as a last resort if the township and district negotiation committee is unable to solve it.

We will disperse sufficient police officers on a stand by basis. Also, the voluntary fire service will be assigned at each polling station to assist the special election police officers. Some have been trained by the Myanmar Police Force; others that have not received training have already served for a long time as voluntary firemen.  

On average, each polling station will have one special police officer and four voluntary firemen. These individuals will already be known and trusted by their respective wards and villages. The Myanmar Police Force will supervise all related security matters with their knowledge of the wards and villages to ensure a successful election.

Q: Many political parties have been campaigning in Karen State. Have you personally heard of any problems, and if so what did you do to solve them?

A: No, there haven’t been any problems. All of the parties in Karen State have been following the code of conduct that they have signed and have been campaigning with discipline. We didn’t have to solve any problems between parties till now.

Q: How will you manage the security of the areas and villages that are close to ethnic armed groups’ territories? What kind of difficulties do you think could take place?

A: In Karen State a ceasefire agreement has been signed with all of the ethnic armed groups so we don’t need to worry about this issue. For some areas where there are small armed groups that don’t share the same views with us we will coordinate with the [Burma] army.

The [Burma] army is not concerned with this election. But, they will take caution to prevent any possible acts of sabotage in accordance with their normal acts of conduct.

The police force and public will be responsible for solving any (potential) immediate issues. These include the various committees and security organizations formed within the wards, villages, and townships. From the onset it was announced to cancel voting in areas close to ethnic armed groups’ territories due to difficulties maintaining security.

Q: Which townships and villages are areas of concern on Election Day? And, why?

A: This doesn’t only affect Karen State. It can happen in the whole of the country if the election results are not accepted. But, nothing will happen if the results are accepted. On Election Day, we will take special caution in Hpa-an; as the capital of Karen State, it’s the most populated. It’s not because we’re afraid of other armed organizations but because Hpa-an is crowded and there are many groups. Arguments may rise between these different groups if the election results are not favourable. This is what we expect could happen. However, incidents like this haven’t happened before so we are just making assumptions and don’t believe it will not happen in Karen State.

Q: If there is issues that threaten security what kind of instructions have been given address it? What authority do they have to deal with it?

A: Firstly, we have formed negotiation committees to handle various levels regarding election day security. Representatives of parties and representatives from the wards and villages without authority are part of these committees. People who understand the law are also in these committees. These organizations will explain the procedures of the election and try to solve the problem first. Advice will be given to take actions against those that disobey the law. The negotiation committees will try to negotiate to solve any (potential) arguments and conflicts on township and district levels. If it is not resolved, the Myanmar Police Force will assist them. The police will carry out its duties in accordance with the law if there is public unrest.

Q: What do would you like to say to the poll station officers, election observers, and journalists covering the election?

Although most, including the media organizations, expect to this election to be successfully, the public will be the first to receive news of any potential problems of major significant. We also ask the public to also provide any information regarding this us so that we will receive the information firsthand. What I mean is there could be organizations that intend to spread fear amongst the public by spreading rumors of fire, arson, or a bomb blast. If these kind of things happens, it’s a everyone’s concern. We need to expose these organizations that want to sabotage the country’s path to democracy and oppose them.

Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff