NDD-Documentation and Research Department

P.O Box 179, Mae Sod, Tak, 63110, Thailand. Phone: +66 (0) 89-267 8417
E-mail: ndddrd07@csloxinfo.com; ndddrd07@gmail.com

October 17 - October 23, 2010

STATE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (SPDC) AND ITS STOOGE ORGANIZATIONS

A. ACTIVITIES ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEVELS

-Some soldiers from Burma Army’s Light Infantry Battalion LIB 268 in Falam, Northern Chin State, secretly urged
Chin people not to vote for the Union and Solidarity and Development Party in the upcoming elections.
(Khonumthung 181010)

-Ward authorities in Naypyidaw went door to door to register migrant workers to vote in the upcoming elections.
(Irrawaddy 191010)

-Since 20 October 2010, in the Thailand-Burma border town of Myawaddy, Burmese authorities stopped 20 river
crossing points being used to smuggle Thai goods into Burma and increased armed personnel at every crossing
point with the reason that they have to step up security leading up to the upcoming elections in Burma. (NEJ
201010)

-Junta-backed retired Col. Kyaw Zan Hla who's been tipped to become Chief Minister of Arakan State after the
upcoming elections may not win in the poll, a local politician who wished not to be identified said. (Narinjara
201010)

-Soldiers from Infantry Battalion (IB) 55 of Arakan State-based Western Military Command opposed Burma Army
Commander-in-Chief's instruction to vote for the Union Solidarity and Development Party, a soldier from IB 55
said. (BBC 201010)

-China maintains cozy relationship with Burma's junta including its investment worth billions of dollars to extract
natural resources is based on the fact that the military junta will continue to hold power after the elections, the
Reuters news agency reported. (DVB 201010)

-Rangoon Mayor U Aung Thein Lin led new national flag- hoisting ceremony at Rangoon City Hall with army
marching band at 3 p.m on Thursday, 21 October, a municipal worker said. The new flag is approved by the 2008
constitution, (NEJ 211010)

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-Despite a major shakeup at the highest levels of Burma's ruling junta last month, some military positions are still
being kept in secret, a military officer from Naypyidaw said on condition of anonymity. (NEJ 211010)

-A cease-fire group New Mon State Pary (NMSP) member said that Tenasserim Division Yebhyu Township and
Kaleinaung sub-Township Peace and Development Council Chairperson had a meeting with NMSP Tavoy District
officials to discuss about advance voting of the people in the area. (IMNA 211010)

-Northern Shan State Lashio District Hsenwi Township Peace and Development Council officials collected 3000 kyat
per house in Mongpar and Nongkaw Village Tracts for construction of poll stations in Hsenwi, a local trader said.
(S.H.A.N 221010)

-In Thailand-Burma border town-Three Pagoda Pass - which is also the Mon-Karen border, the Burmese
Immigration Department issued temporary IDs for those who don't have national ID's so that they can vote in the
elections, locals said. (KIC 221010)

-After the news that chief ministers positions were already allocated for Union Solidarity and Development Party
(USDP) candidates, main USDP rival National Unity Party (NUP) parliamentary candidates were being bribed not to
contest in the upcoming elections. (RFA 231010)

B. THE UNION ELECTION COMMISSION (UEC)

-During a voting demonstration event held at UEC office in Naypyidaw, UEC Chairman U Thein Soe said that no
foreign journalists or international monitors would be allowed to observe the upcoming elections. (DVB 171010)

-In small villages in the remote areas of Karenni State where the military regime does not have complete control,
the Demohso Township Election Commission cancelled poll stations and recorded those local villagers as already
voted, a local villager said. (Kantarawaddy Times 181010)

-When UEC Chairman U Thein Soe said foreign media can not come to Burma to cover the elections, he did not
give clear information about local media covering the elections, said a journalist. (DVB 191010)

-On 18 October 2010, during a voting demonstration event held his office in Naypyidaw, UEC Chairman U Thein
Soe said that 3,071 candidates, including 114 women and 82 independent candidates, will contest the elections.
He also said that there will more than 29 million eligible voters and 40,000 polling stations in the country. (Eleven
Media Group 211010)

-The UEC Chairman U Thein Soe told reporters in Naypyidaw that the commission treated all political parties
equally and would taken action against those who broke the election regulations. (Myanmar Times Vo. 25 No. 489
221010)

C. THE UNION SOLIDARITY AND DEVELOPMENT PARTY(USDP)

-A Rangoon-based Karen Baptist pastor said that Labour Minister and USDP Minglataungnyunt constituency
election candidate U Aung Kyi is canvassing for votes among Christians with the help of some Christian
missionaries. (Irrawaddy 181010)

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-Rangoon Mayor and USDP election candidate U Aung Thein Lin asked engineers of municipal department to
suspend construction of roads for people in Rangoon - as part of USDP election campaign incentive - because they
are unsure about wining in the upcoming elections, an engineer said. (NEJ 181010)

-During meeting with local people on an election campaign trip, the East Salween Mong Ton Township USDP
Chairman Sai Aung Kyi pledged that he will ensure the reopening of the long-time-closed lucrative border crossing
point BP 1 if he was voted for in the upcoming elections, a local said. (S.H.A.N 181010)

-Monghsu USDP Chairman U Kyaw Tin Shwe threatened village headmen and village tract headmen because only a
few villagers showed up during USDP-organised election campaign event, a local civil servant said. (S.H.A.N
181010)

-Karen State USDP election candidates were canvassing for votes in Karen State Thandaunggyi Township Bawgali
Village Tract where many local people were affected by the current military junta human rights violations. (KIC
181010)

-At one of the functions of the Mon State Moulmein Township USDP office, Deputy Defense Minister and USDP
election candidate U Aye Myint, who was tipped to become Chief Minister of the state after the elections,
allegedly revealed the names of the people who will become chief ministers in various states and divisions in
Burma. (BBC 191010)

-The USDP candidate for South Oaklapa Township and Rangoon Mayor U Aung Thein Linn said that the party will
put up at least 10 campaign billboards featuring party slogans and logo in each of Rangoon’s 45 townships in
Rangoon Division. (Myanmar Times Vol. 25 No. 488 181010)

-During an election campaign in Rangoon's Pazundaung Township, USDP candidate Dr Tin Tun Oo said that he
recognised the other political party candidates who will stand in Pazundaung township as colleagues from the
political field. (Myanmar Times Vol. 25, No. 488 181010)

-The USDP leader and Burma's Prime Minister U Thein Sein and his delegation arrived in Lashio, Shan State North
th
on the 17 of October and has been traveling in the region since, a source close to local authorities said. (S.H.A.N
191010)

-The USDP and its allied parties' candidates in 54 out of 1158 constituencies would be elected automatically
because there are no rival contestants running in these constituencies, SPDC Election Commission Chairman U
Thein Soe told at a press conference held in Naypyidaw. (NEJ 191010)

-People were both angry and cynically amused by the junta-backed USDP's campaign poster with the “People First”
slogan placed in the centre of USDP logo "two lions", a Rangoon resident said. (Irrawaddy 191010)

-The USDP and the National Democratic Party for Development (NDPD) leaders of Buthidaung and Maungdaw
Townships of Arakan State were warned by Election Commission Chairman U Thar Maung for carrying out election
campaigns without asking permission from the commission, Bangladesh based Narinjara News Agency Editor
Khaing Myat Kyaw said. (Irrawaddy 201010)

-The Thandama Karmi Buddhist community hall of Yenanchaung's Baymae Ward trustee members will not allow
USDP to gather at the hall for election campaigns purposes because it is not in accordance with election

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NDD-Documentation and Research Department

commission laws, the community hall treasurer U Aye Htun said. The event was cancelled due to strong opposition
(Irrawaddy 201010) (DVB 201010)

-There was a campaign at the Mingala market in Rangoon to vote for Rangoon Mayor and USDP election candidate
U Aung Thein Lin in the upcoming elections because he has been helping to develop the market, a shop keeper
said. (Irrawaddy 201010)

-Local teachers of education department in some village tracts of Bilin and Thaton Townships in Mon State were
told that they would receive a salary increase if they campaigned for USDP, a local villager said. (KIC 201010)

-The USDP candidate of Tenasserim Division Mergui District Constituency 1 U Tin Shein's house was graffitied "Axe
handler of USDP" in red, a local said. (DVB 201010)

-It is not clear that the USDP members in Rangoon Division Hlaingthaya Township were just gathering their party
members list or collecting advance votes, Union Democracy Party (UDP) Vice-Chairman U Htay who is contesting in
the upcoming elections for the township constituency said. (DVB 201010)

-The Kachin State Banmaw District Moemauk Township USDP election candidate U Ronmu aka Sai Myo Maung
issued USDP party membership cards to workers in Lajayan sub-District Hngetpyawtaw Village Tract who are
working on a banana plantation and collected advance votes from them. The workers were told that they can not
work if they don't have USDP member cards, one of the workers said. (DVB 201010)

-The Naga National League for Democracy Chairman U Saw Sa said that some military junta backed USDP elections
candidates such as Khanti Military Tactical Command commander Lt. Col. Ronsanju and a few other people were
already chosen to become Naga Region Chief Minister and parliamentarians even before the elections take place.
(DVB 201010)

-An oversea job application agency operator said that business companies in Rangoon Division Minglataungnyunt
Township were forced to donate a set of computer from each company to the township USDP candidate and
Labour Minister U Aung Kyi so that he can make donations with those computers to basic high schools in the
township. (Irrawaddy 211010)

-Temporary IDs were being issued to migrant workers who come to work from other parts of Burma in Kawthaung
Township to persuade them to vote for the USDP in the township, a Kawthaung resident said. (Kaowao 211010)

-The USDP is the only party who could organize elections campaign while other ethnic political parties are
prevented to do so in Mudon Township of Mon State, an ethnic party organizer said. (IMNA 211010)

-The USDP candidates and SPDC Army personnel coerced Village headmen in Kyaukkyi Township, Pegu Division, to
vote for the USDP and mobilize voters, a village headman from Kyaukkyi Township said. (KIC 211010)

-At a public gathering organised by USDP in Kawkareik Township of Karen State, people were persuaded that they
will be given loans with low interest rate but also were threatened that if they didn't vote for the USDP they will
suffer the consequences, a local who was at the gathering said. (Irrawaddy 221010)

-The USDP and local authorities of Kamma Pilot Village in Pakkoku Township of Magwe Division are collecting 1000
kyat per house as elections fund and those who refused to provide were threatened to be punished, a Kamma
villager said. (Irrawaddy 221010)

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NDD-Documentation and Research Department

-The USDP is giving out supplies such as hard wood and cement bags as election campaign incentives to the Kayan
villagers of Nanpekhon area in Demawhso Township of Karenni State to vote for the party in the upcoming
elections. The USDP is worried that the ethnic Kayan people are the majority in the area and their votes will go to
the Kayan National Party candidates, instead of USDP, Khun Po Po a Kayan activist said. (Kantarawaddy Times
221010)

-The Forestry Minister U Thein Aung and Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs
Minister U Thein Nyunt urged the people in Irrawaddy Division to vote for USDP, locals said. (DVB 221010)

-The Meikhtila Township USDP is asking students who are the children of army families of Light Infantry Battalion
LIB 315 to help them canvass for votes, a soldier from Meikhtila based LIB 315 said. (BBC 231010)

OPPOSITION FORCES

A. FORCES INSIDE BURMA

-On 17 October 2010, Burma's high court in Rangoon heard the arguments of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers and
prosecution side on whether the court would accept an appeal of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest case, her
attorney U Nyan Win said. (Irrawaddy 181010)

th
-On 7 anniversary of World Democratic Youth day, 2007 Generation Student Union, an underground student
union inside Burma, demanded the military regime to postpone the upcoming elections in order to review the
2008 constitution. (Mizzima 181010)

-Rangoon based Australian Embassy diplomats led by the Ambassador came to see the NLD Vice Chairman U Tin
Oo and 1990 elections NLD MP-elect from Pazuntaung Township U Nai Nai and asked about the NLD's position and
situation regarding the upcoming elections, U Tin Oo said. (RFA 191010)

-An NLD delegation returned from Kachin State to Mandalay and discussed about election boycott campaign and
ethnic affairs with over 60 NLD members in Kyaukpadaung, Meikhtila, and Nyanungoo Townships, Kyaukpadaung
Township NLD youth wing leader Ko Zaw Win said. (DVB 201010)

-All Burma General Strike Committee made an announcement to the people that there would be a general strike
through out the country on Thadingyut full moon day (October 23), one of the committee members said. (NEJ
211010)

-An NLD member Khin Maung Oo said that he distributed handouts about the party position on legality of party
existence and elections analysis paper in North Oakalapa Township or Rangoon Division. (DVB 221010)

-An NLD delegation conducted an organizing trip in Chin State arrived in Kale on 23 October 2010. They had
discussion with the local party members about the party's preparation and political perspective after the elections,
an NLD legal advisor U Aung Thein who is with the delegation said. (RFA 231010)

B. BORDER BASE GROUPS

-On 17 October 2010, Thailand based Shan civil society groups officially launched a new Shan language VCD
opposing the 2010 elections, which is already an underground hit in Shan State. (DVB 171010)

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NDD-Documentation and Research Department

-The Mon Youth Progressive Organisation (MYPO) Chairperson Mi Aie Son said that the MYPO released a bi-lingual
(Mon and Burmese) open letter to the people of Mon State to oppose 2010 elections which will be held on the
th
November 7 . (Kaowao 211010)

C. ARMED ETHNIC GROUPS

-Shan State East Mongton Township authorities ordered local people to monitor the movement of non-cease fire
armed group such as Shan State Army - South around the clock and if anything occur then they will have to report
to the authorities no later than 3 days time, a Mongton resident said. (S.H.A.N 181010)

-The Karenni Army (KA) Tactical Commander Col. Blah Reh said that the Burma Army suffered casualties - 1
sergeant and 1 private dead when the KA Battalion 2 Company 2 led by Captain Phebu clashed with Burma Army
Infantry Battalion (IB) 247 in Demohso Township of Karenni State on 16 October 2010. (Kantarawaddy Times
191010)

-People in Karenni State are not comfortable about Karenni Army's demand not to vote for the USDP and worried
about that local authorities would coerce them to vote on the election day. (Kantarawaddy Times 211010)

-On 21 October 2010, officers from Karen National Union (KNU) and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA)
Brigade 5 discussed about helping DKBA troops if they were attacked by the Burma Army. DKBA Brigade 5 refused
SPDC demand to transform into a Border Guard Force. (BBC 231010)

D. FORCES OUTSIDE BURMA

-The National League for Democracy-Liberated Area (Japan Branch) Secretary U Thaung Myint Oo said that
Burmese people in Japan were informed by the Burmese Embassy that they can choose whether to take part in
advance voting or not on 19 October 2010. (VOA 171010)

-On 20 October, 2010, the Japan-based 2010 Elections Boycott Committee sent an open letter to the United
Nations Sec-Gen Ban Ki-moon urging him to make more effective action on Burma, the committee spokesman Mai
Kyaw Oo said. (RFA 201010)

-On 22 October, 2010, about 60 Burma democracy activists staged a demonstration in front of the International
Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, Netherlands, to support establishing a UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate
Burma's military regime's war crimes and crimes against humanity, one of the activists Ko Nyi Nyi said. (RFA
221010)

-The Free Burma Coalition-Philippines (FBC-Philippines) assembled outside the headquarters of the Philippine's
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to support the global movement denouncing the SPDC's elections and calls on
the Philippine government to denounce the elections and lead the ASEAN to urge Burma's military leaders to pave
the way for genuine democratization. (VOA 221010)

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CEASEFIRE GROUPS

GROUPS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO BORDER GUARD FORCES

-The Kachin Independent Organisation (KIO) released a statement saying it has no intention to harm local people's
life and security, after an SPDC mouthpiece newspaper claimed that two civilians were killed and one injured after
they stepped on a land mine planted by Kachin Independent Army (KIA) military arm of the KIO. (NEJ 181010)

-Bureau of Special Operation No. 4 Commander Maj. Gen. Thet Naing Win of Defense Ministry was visiting
Thailand-Burma border town Myawaddy in Karen State to solve increasing tension, between Burma Army and
cease-fire Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, caused by the DKBA continued refusal to transform into Border Guard
Force, a DKBA source said. (KIC 181010)

-The Myaingyigu Abbot U Thuzana went to meet with DKBA Brigade 5 Commander Col. Hnutkhanhmwe to discuss
about transforming Border Guard Force issue, Karen Information Centre Editor Naw Paw Gay said. (Irrawaddy
191010)

-The Burma Army and a police force suffered casualties - 3 dead when Shan State Army-South (SSA-South) troops
clashed with Burma Army and a police force in Mongnong sub-Township of Kesi Township, Shan State in mid
October 2010, local villagers said. (S.H.A.N 191010)

-On 18 October 2010, Burmese army troops raided the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) liaison offices in
Mohnyin and Hopin Townships of Kachin State and arrested 3 Kachin Independent Army (KIA) -the military wing of
the KIO- officers, KIO Joint General Secretary Col. Sinwa said. (Irrawaddy 191010)

-The Kachin Independent Organisation (KIO) issued a security alert and distributed weapons to Kachin villagers
after SPDC troops arrested KIO's Mohnyin Township liaison officer Captain Khawng Lun and two KIA soldiers, KIO
Joint General Secretary Col. Sinwa said. (Irrawaddy 191010)

-A Kachin Independent Organisation (KIO) officer said that, on 19 October 2010, Northern Military Command
informed them that KIO Hopin Township liaison officer Capt. Khawn Lun and a Warrant Officer II have managed to
escape from detention. (Mizzima 201010)

-On 19 October 2010, Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) Brigade 5 Commander Brig. Gen. Saw La Bwe and
Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (KNU/KNLA) Peace Council leader Brig. Gen. Saw Htay
Maung had a meeting in Mae La Camp of Thailand-Burma border, military analysts said. (DVB 201010)

-The cease-fire group New Mon State Party released a statement on October 18, 2010, stating that the upcoming
th
elections which is going to be held on November 7 will not be free and fare and calling for a boycott of the
elections. (KIC 221010)

-Local authorities’ ban on transportation of food and medicines in Kachin Independent Organisation (KIO)
controlled area in western Chibway town between Maika and Malika rivers caused several people to sicken and
died from diseases, a Myitkyina resident close to KIO said. (DVB 221010)

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NDD-Documentation and Research Department

POLITICAL PARTIES

POLITICAL PARTIES ALLOWED TO CONTEST IN THE ELECTIONS

-Rakhine Nationals Progressive Party (RNPP) Chairman Dr Aye Maung urged political parties should be transparent
on party's funding and finance particularly the USDP as government backed political party. (VOA 171010)

-Despite getting permission to produce Taang (Palaung) National Party campaign songs after it was banned by the
censorship board, the party flag and party members campaign activities photos were still censored in the cover
design of the campaign song album, one of the campaign album producers said. (Palaungwomen 171010)

-Maungdaw District Election Commission declared an emergency decree after a brawl broke out between National
Democratic Party for Development (NDPD) and Union Solidarity for Development (USDP) when the USDP members
blocked the NDPD's election campaign activities in Khamaungseik Village of Maungdaw Township, a source close to
district election commission said. (Narinjara 181010)

-The Rangoon Division National Democratic Force (NDF) election candidate U Myat Nyan Soe said that although
every political party have right to assign 2 people as poll watchers per poll station on the elections day the NDF has
to seek volunteers due to low party membership. (VOA 191010)

-The Shan Nationals Democratic Party (SNDP) Central Executive Committee member Sai Hla Kyaw said that despite
the party's distribution of educational leaflets about the upcoming elections and party campaign pamphlets among
the people in Taunggyi, Southern Shan State, many still do not understand clearly about voting procedures. (DVB
191010)

-Election candidates from the Democratic Party (Myanmar) and an independent candidate in Mandalay
participated in a public debate of the election held at the Democratic Party (Myanmar) office in Mandalay on
October 8 where they addressed many questions on their political vision, experience and plans for the country
after the election, a participant at the debate said. (Myanmar Times Vol. 25, No. 488 181010)

-The National Democratic Front (NDF) and the Union Democracy Party (UDP) candidates are likely to win in the
upcoming elections because they have full support of Attorney U Aye Myint, an influential figure in Pegu, NDF
Pegu Division chief organizer U Sein Win said. (Myanmar Times Vol. 25, No. 488 181010)

-On 9 October 2010, at the Wunthanu NLD (the Union of Myanmar) party Mandalay Division office opening
ceremony in Mandalay District Aungmyaytharzan Township, the party General Secretary Daw Nang Shwe Kyar said
that the party would introduce a bill about amnesty to address the release of political prisoners and national
reconciliation in the parliament if they won in the upcoming elections. (Myanmar Times Vol. 25, No. 488 181010)

-The New Era People's Party Kyaiklat Township election candidate U Aung Aung claimed that they have party
members in every village of 93 village tracts in Kyaiklat Township amount to over 100,000 people. The party also
allocated to use 5 million kyat for election campaign activities. (Myanmar Times Vol. 25, No. 488 181010)

-A Pa O National Organisation (PNO) election candidate is canvassing for votes for Union Solidarity and
Development Party (USDP) candidates in some villages of Loilem Township instead of his own party's, a Pa O youth
in Loilem said. (S.H.A.N 191010)

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-The National Democratic Force (NDF) Myitkyina Township candidate U Ma Hka said that his election campaign
sign board in Dukahtawng Ward of Myitkyina was destroyed and he had lodged a complaint to the State Election
Commission. (KNG 191010)

-At least five political parties out of 37 political parties contesting in the upcoming elections in Burma such as
National Democratic Force (NDF), United Democratic Party (UDP), Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP),
Karen Nationals Party (KPP), and Difference and Peace Party (DPP) are using new media such as websites including
'Facebook' for their parties election campaign, NDF Rangoon Division Organising Committee Secretary Dr. Myat
Nyan Soe said. (Mizzima 201010)

-The National Democratic Force (NDF) election candidate U Ma Hka, who is 27 years-old, will use 'promotion on
education of youth and tackle unemployment issue' as his election campaign platform to contest in the upcoming
elections. (Mizzima 201010)

-The Democratic Party (Myanmar) Chairperson U Thu Wai said that he would hang a campaign slogan banner
'People's suffering is my suffering' on his car to canvas for votes in Rangoon Division Minglataungnyunt Township.
(Mizzima 201010)

-Despite the Union Election Commission Chairperson U Thein Soe announcement to the press in Naypyidaw earlier
this month that the last date of election campaign period for political parties is due on 30 October 2010, no notice
was sent to political parties or election commission offices, the National Democratic Force (NDF) election
candidate Dr. Myat Nyan Soe said. (VOA 201010)

-Making official of the state flag, national anthem, and the state logo before the state constitution is being
approved by state parliament which is yet to be in place is breaking its own constitution (2008), candidates from
various political parties said. (DVB 211010)

-Political parties are not pleased about the restriction of election campaign period, political parties who are
contesting in the elections said. (DVB 211010)

-Rangoon Division National Democratic Force (NDF) election candidate Dr. Myat Nyan Soe said that they seek
clarification on the last date of election campaign activities from the Rangoon Division Election Commission and
they were informed that the last date is 6 November 2010. (RFA 221010)

-Difference and Peace Party (DPP) General Secretary U Nay Myo Wai said that the military regime would continue
to go ahead with the preparations of upcoming elections despite people were facing powerful Cyclone Giri in
Arakan coast and consequences of this cyclone. (DVB 221010)

-The 88 Generation Student Youth (Union of Myanmar) party's youngest election candidate U Si Thu Aung planned
to canvass for votes between October 26-30 in Mandalay Division's Chanmyatharzi and Amarapura Townships with
Mandalay style 'swan-shape' decorated trucks. (Myanmar Times Vol. 25, No. 489)

-During her election campaign in South Oaklapa Township of Rangoon Division, many people are interested in the
National Democratic Front (NDF) election candidate Daw Kam Khant Dane not only because she is a female
election candidate of the party but she is a new face to the people in the township. (Myanmar Times Vol. 25.489
221010)

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-As elections draws near political parties use various campaign styles such as hanging pamphlets of party
candidates' brief bio from high rise buildings, handing out to the passer by, sticking party logos on public
transportation trucks, playing party campaign songs in wards and quarters of various cities of Burma. (Myanmar
Times Vol. 25, No. 489 221010)

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES PREPARING TO CONTEST IN THE ELECTIONS

U Sein Hla, an independent candidate in Mandalay Region’s Chanayethazan constit-uency, said that independent
candidates, standing for election who have no chance to give speeches through state media like the registered
political parties, are finding it difficult to lease venues for public speeches and events and struggling to get their
message out to voters ahead of the November 7 poll. (Myanmar Times 25, No. 488 181010)

-Rangoon Division Pazundaung Township independent election candidate U Yan Kyaw, one of the founders of a
network of 17 independents, said that they held a ceremony to open the group’s “victory office” in Rangoon’s
Kantharya Junction of North Okkalapa township on October 10. (Myanmar Times 25, No. 488 181010)

-Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) executive member and
Chairman of the Federation Mon State branch and an independent election candidate U Hla Shein claimed that if
the people who know well about economic issues were elected to represent in the future parliament they would
be able to bring about the improvement of the economy in the country. (Myanmar Times Vol. 25, No. 489 221010)

-The Chin Progressive Party (CPP) has filed a defamation case against Pu Enok, an independent candidate in Kale
constituency, Sagaing Division for the 2010 general elections in Burma with the Election Commission.
(Khonumthung 231010)

SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS

-Some eligible first-time voters (i.e. aged 38 years and below) who constitute 40% of overall voters still haven’t
decided to whether to vote despite interest in the elections, said Rangoon resident Ko Min Aung. (Eleven Media
Group 181010)

-An action of spreading campaign leaflets 'Oppose 2010 elections' out on Kabaraye Pagoda Road took place on the
th
16 October 2010, a woman witness said. (Narinjara 181010)

-People wearing white t-shirts with graffiti 'I Vote', a counter campaign to National League Democracy (NLD) 'No
Vote' campaign started in Rangoon on the 19 October 2010. (NEJ 191010)

-In the morning of 20 October 2010, about 50 A-4 sized posters with graffiti 'NO 2010 elections' with a cross sign
were put up on lamp posts and fences in the wards of Sitapu, Shasu, Kyunpinthar, Mankhein, Dukhatawng, Tatgon,
and in Myitkyina market, a local youth activist who took part in the movement said. (NEJ 201010)

-Most of the hand written and computer generated anti-election posters were taken down quickly by the
authorities in Myitkyina, but some posters could still be found in the evening, said a local eyewitness. (KNG
201010)

-On 21 October 2010, over 500 ethnic villagers gathered near Kyarinnseikkyi, Kyarinnseikkyi Township in Karen
State, to demonstrate against the upcoming 2010 elections, Ko Saw Htun who participated in the demonstration
said. (RFA 211010)

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NDD-Documentation and Research Department

-Some election observers said that majority of the people in Burma, without having much knowledge about the
elections, will be coerced by the authorities to go and vote on November 7 poll day. (NEJ 221010)

-Rangoon Mayor U Aung Thein Lin summoned municipal workers to Rangoon City Hall and urged them to vote for
Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a senior clerk of Rangoon municipal department said. (NEJ
221010)

-The authorities in Kyarinnseikkyi Township of Karen State increased security since 22 October 2010 when people
started distribution of oppose elections campaign pamphlets in the township, local people said. (KIC 221010)

-Since 20 October 2010, teachers in Labutta Township of Irrawaddy Division and Pakokku Township of Magwe
Division were asked to cast advance vote but they were not comfortable because they were not able to vote in
privacy or secretly, a woman teacher from Labutta Township said. (DVB 221010)

-On 23 October 2010, over 100 farmers gathered in Khayan Township and had a discussion about their farm lands
among other issues. After that they have urged the authorities to return their confiscated farm lands and right to
an establishment of a farmers union. (RFA 231010)

ROLE OF MEDIA

-Vincent Brossel, Head of the Asia desk of Reporters Without Borders, said that press freedom is deteriorating in
Burma and ranking Burma174 out of 178 countries on the World Press Freedom Index which fell 3 ranks from last
year’s index. (VOA 191010)

-As the elections in Burma draws near, several election related interviews, news articles, were being published in
news media both inside and outside Burma. (Mizzima 211010)

BURMESE NATIONALS ABROAD

-On 17 October 2010, there were advance voting took place for Burmese in United States at Burmese Embassies in
Washington D.C and in New York but only a few showed up including family members of embassy staff, a source
close to Burmese Embassies in US said. (VOA 171010)

-On 19 October 2010, Burmese Embassy in Tokyo started taking advance votes from Burmese people in Japan, a
Burmese who went to vote at the embassy said. (Mizzima 201010)

-On 15October 2010, there was an advance voting for Burmese people in Egypt at the Burmese Embassy in Cairo,
40 out of 80 Burmese staying in Egypt showed up to vote, Cairo Burmese Embassy Counsellor Daw Yin Yin Oo said.
(VOA 201010)

-The Burmese students who receive scholarship from military government and studying at the universities in
Bangkok, Thailand, did advance voting at the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok starting on 19 October 2010, one of the
students said. (DVB 201010)

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NDD-Documentation and Research Department

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

A. THE UNITED NATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

-United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar (Burma) Mr. Tomas Ojea
Quintana stated in his report to the United Nations General Assembly presented on 20 October 2010, the urgency
for UN to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity in Burma. He said it was needed
to address impunity and prevent future human rights violations, especially since the 2008 constitution enshrined
impunity. (RFA 191010)

-United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar (Burma) Mr. Tomas Ojea
Quintana urged the Burmese military regime to release all political prisoners in Burma. He also warned that
without the participation of opposition and ethnic groups it can not be called as credible elections. (VOA 201010)

-United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar (Burma) Mr. Tomas Ojea
Quintana said that if the Burmese military regime did not try to make the upcoming elections to be free and fair
that international community must take action against the military regime. (VOA 211010)

-On 20 October 2010, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar (Burma)
Mr. Tomas Ojea Quintana presented his report to the United Nations General Assembly that there has been an
increase of torture, detention, extrajudicial killings, and force labour in military rule Burma. (RFA 211010)

B. GOVERNMENTS

-Thailand Tak province-based Thai Army Battalion 4 has been ordered to step up security checks and boost patrols
along the Thailand-Burma border until November 7, Burma elections day, Thai Army Battalion 4 commander said.
(RFA 171010)

-The Indonesian government has criticised the Burmese regime’s announcement that foreign reporters and
monitors would be barred from covering the upcoming elections. (RFA 191010)

-Britain Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed his support on the Amnesty International's call for the release
of more than 2100 political prisoners in Burma and said that the continued detention of political prisoners in
Burma is deplorable. (VOA 221010)

-On October 22, 2010, during his visit to Mae La refugee camp on the Thailand-Burma Border, Thailand Foreign
Minister Kasit Piromya said that Burmese refugees in Thailand will not be immediately repatriated after the Nov 7
general election in Burma.

C. NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

-On 20 October 2010, John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and Human Rights
Watch organised discussion programme on Burma in Washington D.C., United States of America. At the discussion
Burma experts and human rights activists said that there were no prospect to improve human rights, political, and
ethnic situation after military regime planned elections in Burma. (VOA 201010)

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NDD-Documentation and Research Department

-New York-based Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Elaine Pearson said that ASEAN should stop
supporting the elections in Burma with the expectation that there will be changes after the elections. (VOA
201010)

-On 20 October 2010, in Washington D.C., John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
and Human Rights Watch have organised a discussion programme to address about upcoming Burma's elections
and ethnic minorities. (RFA 211010)

-Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen and academics analyzed that upcoming elections in Burma is full of
frauds and post-election political situation in the country will be much more complicated. (DVB 211010)

-Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen said that the expressions of hope that things can change after the
election are totally contrary to reasoned analysis about what's going on before the elections in Burma. (VOA
211010)

End of report/ Saturday, October 23, 2010

Distributed by Network for Democracy and Development; Documentation and Research Department (NDD)

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