The entire Burmese government machinery seems to have been mobilized to help the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) win the elections slated for November 7.   

For instance staff belonging to the education department has been campaigning in some village-tracts in Tha Hton and Beelin Township in Mon State. They have been urging locals to vote for the USDP, a person close to the staff members said.

“With the election drawing near, the USDP held a meeting with school teachers in western and eastern regions of Donthami stream. The USDP has not been directly telling school teachers to campaign but indirectly tells them to canvass for the party when they come to take their salaries. But, the USDP is luring school teachers with the promise of an increased salary if they persuade people to vote for the party,” the staff told KIC.

Though candidates of other political parties have not come to campaign in these regions, the USDP members have organized campaigns since September. The USDP has also recruited new members by doling out money.

To ensure victory in the polls, the USDP members have been helping locals procure national identity cards. To get ID cards, one needs to spend less money than earlier, the staff said.

“Earlier, a person had to spend 10,000 Kyat for an ID card. But, now one needs to shell out only 2,000 Kyat for an ID. School teachers in the area are aware that it is an indirect way of persuading people to vote for the USDP,” he added.

The Union Election Commission has announced that the last date for campaigning is October 30.