Khaw-zar Sub-Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) members are exhorting people to vote "Yes" for those voting "No"would be sentenced to jail.

Recently the Khaw-zar TPDC held a meeting with village headmen and pressurised the headmen to keep a close watch on those who vote "No".

According to Khaw-zar Townhsip residents, the town quarter headmen, Nai Halike has been going round telling people what the TPDC wants from residents. He also told them to vote "Yes" if they don't want to be interrogated and sent to jail.

"Many residents are scared of the pressure and many have decided to vote "Yes" to avoid being questioned and jailed," a resident told IMNA.

New Mon State Party (NMSP) members and retired members in the town are also being pressurised to vote "Yes" and the party members are unhappy about it

According to a NMSP leader, the party has formulated a policy to vote against the constitution which was drafted by the Burmese junta for 14 years.

Because of this, party members are trying to avoid staying in the area.

Similar to Khaw-zar township, two village headmen in Ye township also threatened villagers to vote "Yes" or else they will be sentenced to two years in jail.

Currently, both the Burmese military junta and activists in Mon State have stepped up their campaign for "Yes" and "No" votes respectively in the run up to the referendum.