SPDC begins campaigning for referendum “Yes” votes in Mon State

March 26, 2008

SPDC authorities are calling meetings to lobby for “Yes” votes in the upcoming constitutional referendum, said a Mon human rights worker in Mon state.

The authorities ordered village headmen in Hnee-Padaw, Yaung-Daung and Kwan-Hlar villages in Mudon township, Mon State to arrange the meeting. “They want us to vote ‘yes’ for them. If we do not, they say the political crisis in the country will go on another fifteen years,” a person at the meeting reported.

The authorities encouraged villagers to vote “Yes” in the referendum, scheduled for May, which will deal with whether to instate a new constitution drafted by the regime.

According to a human rights worker, many people at the meeting were confused about the referendum because they have not been able to read the draft constitution and authorities have done little to explain it. But a local person, who wishes to remain anonymous for security, said that many people at the meeting wanted, but did not dare, to ask questions about the constitution. Expressing anti-referendum sentiments risks jail time or a heavy fine.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News