10 August 2010: The Burmese Army based in Paletwa town, Chin state is distributing free salt to people to woo them for votes in the forthcoming 2010 general election, it is learnt.

Spearheaded by the second commander of the military camp LIB 233 in Shinletwa, Paletwa Township the army has distributed 25 bags of salt in eight village tracts in the military camp area.

“The second commander gave us 25 bags of salt for each village tract,” said a local, member of the Block Peace and Development Council.

The market price of 1 kilogram of salt is Kyat 1200 and each bag has 20 kilograms of salt.

“We have never seen such free distribution of salt by the military. We only see them demanding 1 kilogram of chicken once a month from local people. It’s amazing that the tables have turned.
They are wooing people for vote for the USDP in the forthcoming 2010 general election,” said a local.

It is learnt that the junta is trying out different kinds of poll campaign to help its party the USDP win the election in Chin state.