In Myanmar’s southernmost Tanintharyi Region, opponents of the upcoming junta-led election were charged under a newly enacted law presented as a measure to protect the vote.
On July 29, coup leader Min Aung Hlaing introduced the 'Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic Elections from Obstruction, Disruption and Destruction', commonly known as the Election Protection Law. Members of the Myeik-based resistance group Daung Nat (Black Peacock) are now being prosecuted under this law.
At Kanmaw Village Police Station in Kyunsu Township, Myeik District, junta authorities have filed cases in absentia against 50 Daung Nat members, led by Ko Thein Min Zaw, under Sections 24(A) and 24(B) of the Election Protection Law.
The cases were filed after Daung Nat members sent threatening letters on November 11 to administrative officials and election subcommittee members in Kyunsu Township villages of Metaw, Okehpomaw, Sandarnge, Gyonegyonekya, Chaungnyiko, and Chaunggyiwa, warning them not to cooperate with the junta’s election, according to junta sources.
A local People's Defence Team (PDT) officer confirmed to NMG that Daung Nat is a resistance group operating and carrying out military activities in Kyunsu Township.
“Ko Thein Min Zaw and his men are carrying out military operations in Kyunsu Township. They belong to a group called Daung Nat, and yes, they did send warning letters to village elders about the election,” the officer said. He added that although the junta has prosecuted Daung Nat members in absentia, capturing them will not be easy.
In Tanintharyi Region, prosecutions under the Election Protection Law are taking place not only in Kyunsu but also in other townships.
On November 7, the junta filed a case at Thayetchaung Township Police Station against Ko Kyaw Kyaw, information officer of the Dawei Democracy Movement Strike Committee (DDMSC), under Sections 23(A) and 23(B) of the same law for protesting with a placard on the road.
Similarly, junta authorities are actively searching for a man who vandalized a Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) campaign billboard in Botechan Village, Palaw Township, on November 19. A case has been filed at the village police station under Section 24(A) of the Election Protection Law.
Under the junta's Election Protection Law, those accused can face prison terms of three to seven years, along with hefty fines.
The junta is using this draconian law to suppress any opposition ahead of the election scheduled for the end of the year.
