Many polling stations in Mon state southern Burma did not open or close in accordance with the referendum law, said local activists.

The polling stations were to be open from 6 am to 4 pm on May 10 on the referendum day according to the Burmese government referendum commission law which was released in April.

At least about 10 polling stations were not opened at 6 am and closed much before 4 pm in Mudon, Thanbyuzayat and Chanug Zone townships, said a leader of the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF).

"We had our members monitoring whether the polling stations in Mon state opened and closed on time," he said. "Yesterday, I received reports from villages in Mudon township that some polling stations closed before lunch time and most before 3 pm," he added.

"Many people in Mudon Township could not vote confidentially and were disturbed by the station staff when they voted," he continued.

"Before I went to the polling station I decided to vote against but when I arrived at the booth and voted the staff followed me into the voting room and I voted 'yes', said Nai Seik a voter from  Mudon township.    

A polling station in Wae-ka-rat village in Thanbyuzayat Township opened at 7 am and closed at about 3:30 pm said an activist in the village who monitored the station.

According to a Chaung Zone township person, polling stations in the township also did not open and close on time.

According to Mon community leaders, the referendum commission and poll stations staff in Mon state were threatened by the higher authorities that they would be sacked from their jobs if their polling stations got more 'No' votes than 'Yes' votes.  

The referendum commission was formed by members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (MSAF), The Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (MMCWA), Village Peace and Development Council and civil servants.