Under the special plan, the military junta’s Ministry of Immigration and Population announced on January 1 that damaged or lost national registration cards would be replaced without breaks until January 11.

At the Paung Township Immigration Office, at least 50 people per day are reportedly applying for national ID cards and smart cards without being charged service fees. A local resident said many applicants are not motivated by interest in voting but are taking advantage of the temporary opportunity to obtain documents.

“There are around 40 to 50 people every day, and the office is crowded. In the past, people had to wait a long time and still could not easily get IDs. Some people did not vote because they had no ID cards. Now they are fixing that weakness to increase the number of voters,” the resident said.

Although no official service fees are charged at immigration offices, applicants still have to cover costs for blood tests, photographs, and travel expenses. Applicants are reportedly receiving their ID cards within two days.

However, despite the registration services being available until January 11 ahead of Election Phase Two, no applicants were reported at the Ye Township Immigration Office due to security concerns.

“In Ye town, there are some people applying, but not many. People are encouraged to vote, but as the election gets closer, residents are afraid to travel into town because of the security situation. In Lamaing, we have not heard any official announcements about this plan,” a local source said.

Before Election Phase One, some residents in Ye and Mudon townships reportedly paid between 200,000 and 600,000 kyats in service fees to obtain ID cards, according to a Mudon resident who spoke to the Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA).

In its announcement, the military junta urged voters whose ID cards are damaged or lost to contact their respective township immigration offices. It also warned that legal action would be taken against individuals who falsely claim loss or damage to their ID cards in order to apply again.

During the first phase of the military junta’s election, voter turnout was reported at just over 52 percent. Observers say the current special registration plan is aimed at increasing participation in the second phase.