The Burmese military junta authorities in Waingmaw Township in Kachin State have persuaded Christian pastors to vote in the ensuing referendum. This despite the regime's earlier announcement not to include Christian pastors and religious people like monks in the voter's list, a source said.

Despite the authorities' recent announcement that the voter's list does include Christian pastors in Waingmaw, they are yet to receive ballot papers, a Christian pastor in Waingmaw told KNG.

Ballot papers were distributed to the residents but some still have not got it. While ballots papers were being distributed the authorities directed people to cast the 'Yes' vote in the ensuing referendum. "The junta authorities also told us that the people are not supporting the government, they are just supporting the constitution of the country," a woman voter said.

In Taunggyi in Shan State, only Christian ordained pastors were left out of the voter's list while other Christian pastors have been included in the list, a resident in Taunggyi said.