Cyclone survivors in a Rangoon suburb have been ordered out of a temporary shelter so that it can be used as a polling station on May 24.
The 57 people whose homes were destroyed are staying in a community hall (dama joun) in San-Yeik-Nyein Quarter, South Dagon Township, Rangoon Division. The hall is normally used for religious purposes and ceremonies such as weddings.
But the survivors were told to move out four days before the constitutional referendum, which was postponed in areas hard hit by Cyclone Nargis.
"May 20th is the last day to move out of the place, because they want to use the building as a ballot station," said a person taking care of the survivors.
Local authorities informed the person five days ago when they brought food donations for the homeless. "But they did not say anything about where to move to. We have to wait for some days because it is still many days until the referendum," the person said.
Despite widespread damage from Cyclone Nargis, the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and Township Quarter level authorities have been collecting "advance votes" from some residents in South Dagon. The advance voting began the day after the cyclone.
The door-to-door advance polling was originally intended as a convenience for the elderly and those planning to travel out of the city. But now everyone is asked to cast a ballot ahead of the official poll date, residents said.
Eligible voters have to cast ballots whether they want to or not, yet they have no choice but to say 'yes.' "It's not secret. You have to give your ballot to the authorities," a Dagon Township resident said.
USDA members Saw Naing, Tin Maung Than, Nyi Kyaw, Myint Than and Aung Myint Htay are collecting votes in this way, residents said.
"The authorities are only thinking about holding on to power and they do not think about helping people those who are in trouble and mentally disturbed by the cyclone," said a resident from Sanchaung Township in Rangoon Division.
Many Rangoon residents are frustrated at the junta's priorities. "I would not vote for them," said a resident from Sanchaung Township. "I could not support them when we do not have food at home."
The government-owned newspaper, the New Light of Myanmar, reported Wednesday that 34,273 people were killed, 1,403 people were injured and 27,838 people were missing after the cyclone, which struck May 2 and 3. But aid workers and UN agencies put the death toll at more than 100,000.
The junta went ahead with a nationwide referendum to approve a draft constitution on May 10, but delayed voting in 47 townships in Rangoon and the worst-hit Irrawaddy Delta regions.
Critics say the charter will perpetuate military power, but the junta says it is part of a transition to a "disciplined democracy."
