20 November 2010: People will have to pay for all the expenses for officials, who were in-charge of polling stations in Chin state during the 2010 general election on 7 November, said an official on condition of anonymity. The money will be collected from the people.

Each Block Peace and Development Council will take the responsibility for collecting the money from their respective areas for reimbursing travel expenses and cost of food for officials-in-charge of all polling stations.

“We spent all day in the polling station and we purchased a pig for Kyat 1.4 lakhs and had a feast. The expenses will be paid by the local people,” said an official-in-charge of a polling booth in Tiau village, Falam township.

Besides, the authorities had ordered people to carry ballot boxes from their villages to towns without paying travel costs.

“We are terribly disappointed. The government ought to take all responsibility for the election called by it. We had no time to do our own work and we have to pay for food and lodging. It is not fair,” said a local.

The government had appointed its employees and members of Block Peace and Development Council to take charge of polling stations, but no financial assistance has been given till date.

Although the higher authorities had provided Kyat 8,000 for village level election commissions, the funds were diverted for purchasing seals and other items for the election.

"We carried ballot boxes to the township commission at our own expense,” said a local.