Seng Phoo — Seniors in southern Shan State who are eligible for advance voting for Burma’s election complained of harassment by staff at polling stations.

According to the Union Election Commission (UEC), anyone 60 or older can cast their ballot from October 29 to November 7, the day before regular polling starts.

Nang Ya Min, an Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) electoral candidate for Taunggyi Township constituency-1, told SHAN that residents of Tawng Ni village-tract were pressured by polling station officers to vote for a particular party.

The SNLD candidate said seniors told her that there were political parties playing loud campaign music and wearing their party’s t-shirt at polling stations, violating election regulations laid out by UEC.

In Lashio Township, located in northern Shan State, advance voters also reported being harassed to vote for larger parties such as the ruling NLD, USDP or UBP.

There are 13 parties contesting the election in Taunggyi Township constituency-1.