Aik Sai — A case of electoral fraud against polling staff (also teachers) has been filed with the police by the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). The USDP claims they were cheated of two advanced ballots intended for their party in Waelan Village polling station in Mon State’s Chaungzon Township. U Min Aung Thu, a USDP candidate who contested the Lower House, reported the alleged fraud to the Chaungzon Myoma Police Station.
“There were 40 advanced ballots in Waelan Village. The NLD (National League for Democracy) got eight ballots, the Mon National Party (MNP) got two ballots, the USDP got 27 ballots, the All Mon Region Democracy Party (AMRDP) got two ballots, and the remaining ballot was invalid. Everyone in the polling station confirmed this. Witnesses left after signing [the document]. When the polling station representatives heard about the changes made with ballots, we examined it and found that there was missing ballot from 27 ballots I received and an invalid one. Originally the NLD received eight ballots, but now had 10 ballots,” U Min Aung Thu explained.
Polling station officers Daw Aye Win, Daw Aye Aye Soe and Daw Cho Cho Htwe, who was tasked with counting ballots, have been charged with Section 59 (c) of the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) Election Law.
“When we looked at the original list recorded in Form 16 there was discrepancy,” said a Chaungzon Township Election Commission official. After a discussion took place a recount was issued.
In Chaungzon Township, Daw Khin Htay Kywel from the NLD won the Lower House seat with 23,580 ballots. U Min Aung Thu finished with 16,613 ballots. In Waelan Village Polling Station where the alleged incident took place Daw Khin Htay Kywel received 226 votes and U Aung Min Thu got 209 ballots.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff
