Three officials from Thaton District Election Sub-Commission in Mon State, including the chair, have resigned from the sub-commission in protest after a lack of transparency in an investigation into the misuse of funds by the Union Election Commission.

Thaton District Election Sub-Commission in Mon State lodged a complaint to the UEC, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the President in March, about the misappropriation of money by the secretary of the sub-commission in the purchase of materials for the sub-commission.

The chair of the sub-commission and two members resigned from the sub-commission by submitting their resignation letters due to the lack of transparency in the investigation.

U Maung Oo, Chair of the sub-commission said: “The UEC’s investigation lasted for only one day. The UEC did not check the lists. They listened only to the submission and did not follow up. I don’t know how to carry out an inspection and take action. I feel I am a victim of discrimination.”

The secretary of the election sub-commission submitted the purchase price of a laptop for Ks-1.1 million instead of Ks-600,000 and a fraudulent claim over toner cartridges allocation.  

Daw Moe Moe Khaing, a former member of Thaton District Election Sub-Commission said: “The lack of action taken by the UEC shows discrimination between the volunteers and government staff. We are serving as volunteers who want to win the public’s trust and respect. But The UEC did make any investigation of our complaint. I feel the UEC discriminated between its staff and volunteers.”