In yet another mockery of the election in Burma the military junta’s BGF No. 1023 ordered villagers on November 2 not to go outside the village on the day of the election in Kyar Inn Seik Gyi township, locals said.

These villages are included in the areas where polling has been cancelled by the Union Election Commission.

“Saw El Htoo, battalion commander of the BGF No.1023, ordered villagers not to go outside their villages on the day of the election in Pitakhar, Phaw Wakalo and Mae Phala village. Villagers can go outside the village at their own risk,” a villager said.

Maj. Saw El Htoo, the commander of the Karen BGF, has ordered village headmen from Pitakhar and Phaw Wakalo village to pay for the cost of five assault rifles, which were seized by the KNU.

Battalion no. 17 of the KNLA Brigade No.6 seized three M-16 and two AK-47 rifles from BGF No. 1023 on October 25. Maj. Saw El Htoo has demanded from the villagers the cost of the rifles but he did not say how much the rifles cost.

Maj. Saw El Htoo is the son of KPF chairman Saw Thu Muu Hel. The KPF is also known as the Howthayaw ceasefire group. The KPF transformed into the BGF in August.