Kantarawaddy Times
Some residents of Loikaw town in Karenni State said they felt compelled to vote during Phase 1 of the military junta’s election held on December 28, due to fear of facing reprisals.
“Yesterday, artillery shells were landing, and we heard gunfire, so people didn’t want to go outside. But the list of people who didn’t vote would also be in their (the junta’s) hands. If that’s the case, we don’t know what kind of trouble they might cause us. Still, there were some people who stood firm and didn’t vote. In some neighborhoods in Loikaw, there are many people who already support the military, so more people voted there. In neighborhoods where fewer people voted, there were already fewer residents who had returned. In areas that have suffered heavily from the war, the number of voters was lower compared to more crowded neighborhoods,” a Loikaw resident told Kantarawaddy Times about the voting situation.
Many people went to vote at polling stations in Loikaw’s most populated neighborhoods, including Dawtama, Lawdama, and Nambawwam wards.
“Those three wards are where the most people returned to Loikaw. So, the number of people became very high. People from neighborhoods that are no longer livable in the city also came to stay there. Students and workers are also living there, so the population has become very large. As it exceeded the ward’s normal population list, although the number of voters was high, there were still families remaining by percentage,” the resident added.
The political parties that contested the election in the various constituencies of Loikaw Township included the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the National Unity Party (NUP), the People’s Pioneer Party (PPP), and the state-based Kayah State People’s Party (KySPP).
Although most local people did not know the candidates representing the parties contesting the election, residents said there was a situation where they had to cast their votes. While military supporters and civil servants voted for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), some local residents voted for the state-based Kayah State People’s Party (KySPP). Overall, residents said the USDP held an advantage in Loikaw.
Phase 1 of the election was held in Karenni State in both Loikaw Township and Bawlakhe Township. According to figures released by the military junta, there were 82 polling stations in Loikaw Township and six polling stations in Bawlakhe Township. Residents said that during the election in Loikaw, artillery shells landed in some parts of the town, causing fear and panic among the public.
