_ reported by Human Rights Defenders & Promoters

May 10 2008
Taunggut Township, Arakan State

Most people cast “NO” votes in Taunggut, Arakan State, according to witnesses. “Taunggut is one of the strongest opposition regions in the Arakan State and people there dared to vote “No’ even before the authorities,” a resident said. “There were many fire brigade personnel guarding the booths.”

“There are eight booths in Taunggut and the authorities monitored the vote. They took pictures of people while voting, especially in NO (1) polling station. We have no privacy and safety in voting,” a voter said.

There are also three booths in the Army barracks in Taunggut. “The soldiers from No (5) Battalion are very frustrated because they are not allow to vote freely. Some of the soldiers told me if they have a chance to vote without restrictions, they will vote ‘No’ because they are suffering from the bad government as well as the ordinary people,” a resident from Taunggut said.

Two days before the referendum, the authorities from Township Peace and Development Council (in Burmese Ma Ya Ka) arrested some people in “No” T- shirts and interrogated them for two hours. Authorities took T-shirts and released them.