Officers posted in northern Arakan are campaigning for the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) by making a devotional offering to elders, said Minbya Township sources.

Township officers from Kyauk-taw, Mrauk U, Rathedaung, Minbya and Ponna gyun organized a devotional offering to those over 75 years on the Burmese New year ( April 17)  in each town, the sources said.

At the ceremony the officers offered each man and woman dresses and 2500 Kyat, the sources added.

The town officers explained to the elders about the performance of the ruling military junta in sectors like health, religion, education, economy, roads and train services. The government is trying to develop rural areas.  For more development in rural areas, people need to vote the government backed party the USDA, said a school teacher from Minbya.

“In our town, 124 elders attended the ceremony held at State High School where town officers collected a list of 75-year olds over two days to organize the ceremony,” the teacher said.

In Mrauk U, the ceremony was held in the State High School where 96 elders attended, said a local leader.

In Kyauktaw 84 elderly persons, in Rathedaung 80 elders and in Ponnagyun 63 such persons attended, where they were wooed to vote for the USDA, said sources.