The Burmese junta has begun taking a census and collecting personal details of retired government servants in the education sector in Sittwe and Taung Goat township in Arakan State.

"I retired three years ago. Officials from the education department came and asked me when I retired, my age and who my family members are. Even if they had come in connection with the forthcoming elections, I will vote for the candidate and the party I like," said a retired woman teacher from Taung Goat Township.

A retired teacher in Sittwe, capital of Arakan State told Mizzima the authorities are collecting details of retired employees of the education department in the township and thought that it is related to the elections.

"Yes, the details are being asked for and collected. They already have a list of retired government servants but they are confirming who are retired and still alive. It is being done for the 2010 elections. During the 2008 referendum  to approve the constitution, they used the votes of  retired government servants as ‘yes ‘ votes," the retired teacher said.

However, Mizzima learnt that there is no census being taken for retired employees of other governmental departments so far.

"In our area, there is no such census yet. I heard that it is being done for other departments. I think they will do the same for us soon," said a former health sector employee in Sittwe.

Similarly, there are reports of census being taken in Khayan Township in Rangoon Division for those, who are above 18 years old, and family member’s lists are being checked for those who are staying and working abroad.

The Burmese regime had announced that it will hold nation-wide elections this year. However, it has not announced the dates of the election nor declared the electoral law yet.