A man from Kwan Rite Village in Chaungzone Township, Mon State, who was charged under the Election Protection Law, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison by the military tribunal, according to family members and people close to him.

U Kyaw Myint, a 65-year-old resident of Kwan Rite Village, was arrested on November 4 after allegedly tearing down a list of parliamentary candidates posted at the village administrator’s office.

He was subsequently charged at the Chaungzone Town Police Station under Sections 26(a) and 24(a) of the “Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic Elections from Obstruction, Disruption and Destruction.”

On November 19, the Mawlamyine District Court sentenced U Kyaw Myint to 17 years in prison, a family member said.

“He also threw a stone at the administrator’s office. So, in addition to the election law, he was charged under other laws as well, which is why the prison term became this long,” the family member said.

In late July, the military council enacted the “Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic Elections from Obstruction, Disruption and Destruction” to suppress those opposing their planned election.

Under Section 24(a) of this law, offenders can be sentenced to a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 7 years in prison, along with fines.

Since the enactment of this law, the military council has been arresting civilians on accusations of attempting to disrupt election procedures. Nearly 100 people have recently been arrested or prosecuted for acts allegedly intended to disrupt election activities.