Security has been beefed up around town site gates in Loikaw as of this month amid reports that the Karenni Army (KA) and opposition groups are gearing up to oppose next month's election in Burma, according to local sources.

The Karenni National and Development Party has been opposing the election using various methods. As a result it has been threatened by the local authorities creating anxiety regarding the regions security during elections in Burma.

Meanwhile, many UN member countries including ethnic people in Burma continue to express doubts about the forthcoming elections. Pro-democracy groups, as well as Western nations and human rights organizations, have already criticized the election as unfair and undemocratic.

"Here, in Loikaw, it is rather strict at the gate point with stringent checking and it is not easy to enter if there is no identity card," a Loikaw resident told Kantarawaddy.

According to local analysts due to fear of opposition groups opposing Burma's general elections the local authorities have tightened security and checking at gates despite there not being anti-election posters in Karenni State.

The Karenni Army (KA) has warned that it will shoot if the Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) members campaign in rural villages in Karenni State, local sources said.