A rumour has been gaining ground throughout Arakan State that casting a "No" vote in the ensuing referendum on May 10 will mean a two year prison sentence, said a trader from Kyaukpru Township.

"We, villagers, do not want to cast the "Yes" vote, but we are anxious about our security because there is information that the military authorities will punish anyone who casts a "No" vote in the referendum with two years in prison " he said.

There is no official confirmation on this information, but it has spread throughout the state.

"We do not know if it is true but the news is spreading in our area. All villagers will cast "Yes" votes in the referendum due to fear of punishment if they cast "No" votes," the trader said.

A source from Sittwe said it is true that the rumour is spreading in Arakan State and people in rural areas in Arakan will vote "Yes" in the referendum due to fear that the authorities will take action if they vote against the proposed draft constitution.

But, the source added, most people in urban areas in Arakan State, including Sittwe, Kyaukpru, and Taungup, will still cast the "No" votes in the referendum, despite the rumours.

There is speculation that army authorities in Arakan State spread the rumour of the two-year prison sentence themselves through government supporters.

At the same time, the higher authorities have sent many referendum campaigners to villages around Arakan State to mobilize people to cast "Yes" votes in the polls.