_ reported by Human Rights Defenders & Promoters 

May 10 2008
Kyauk Padaung Township, Mandalay Division

The USDA and Police pressured civilians to cast votes with pre-checked ballots. In 13 booths, the authorities had already checked ballots themselves and they gave these ballots to the people for casting votes.
A group of 50 young motorcycle riders wearing “NO” T-shirts went around the city including the market place, police station and township administrative office and boycotted the constitutional referendum. A police patrol vehicle followed and monitored the protesters while wandering around the city.

Another resident said, “The authorities gave some people checked ballots. We are very frustrated about this. The authorities allowed 2,000 people per booth for voting. The local residents in Kyauk Padaung are trying to sue the authorities because of their corruption on the referendum.”

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May 10 2008,
Than Myin Village, Kyauk Padaung

A village resident said, “Chairman of village electoral commission Aung Htwe, USDA Maung Gyi, village authorities Htun Lwin, Shwe See and young volunteers Maung Sein, Than Nyunt, Win Htein, and Than Htun threatened the villagers with 3 years in jail and a fine (100, 000 Kyats = US$ 87) if we voted “No” on the referendum.

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May 10 2008
Tha Byay Taik village, Nyaung Oo Township, Mandalay Division

Local residents said, “The chairman of village electoral commission Myo Htoo, USDA Maung Baw, Kyaw Win, Kan Htoo, Myint Saung monitored the election and recorded those who voted ‘No,’ threatened the remaining people to vote ‘Yes.’ Some people were afraid of their warning and checked ‘Yes,’ he added.