Heavy military presence and low turnout mark second phase of Myanmar elections in Karen State

Mizzima

Security has been significantly tightened in Hpapun and Hlaingbwe townships as the Military Commission’s second phase of elections proceeds amid widespread public indifference and territorial losses to resistance forces.

In Hlaingbwe Township, which includes the towns of Hlaingbwe, Paingkyon, and Shan Ywa Thit, voting is being restricted to limited urban areas and nearby villages. Shan Ywa Thit remains under the full control of the Karen National Union (KNU), rendering the election commission powerless to operate there. To secure the remaining stations, joint forces from the junta army, the Karen National Army (KNA/BGF), and Pyu Saw Htee militias have established a heavy armed presence.

A young resident of Hlaingbwe said, “The unusual thing is how tight security is. Soldiers are stationed at polling stations. There are far fewer voters than in previous elections. They are still driving around urging people to vote because they are worried people won’t turn up.”

While 48 polling stations were originally planned for Hlaingbwe and Paingkyon, local sources indicate that voting has been abandoned in at least 10 village tracts due to volatile security conditions.

Residents in Paingkyon report that the sight of fully armed soldiers has intimidated the public rather than encouraged participation.

“People are almost completely uninterested. Only one or two voters come at a time,” said a resident of Paingkyon. “The heavy presence of fully armed soldiers makes people afraid, so they avoid the polling stations. Some are even afraid to sleep in their own homes.”

The situation is even more precarious in Hpapun Township. Since the KNU seized control of Hpapun town in early 2024, the military has been forced to relocate election activities.

U Tun Lwin, Chair of the Hpapun District Election Commission, confirmed that voting is now confined to only four wards in Kamaung town and two village tracts, totaling just 10 polling stations.

“Elections cannot be held in Hpapun, so they are being conducted in Kamaung instead,” a Kamaung resident noted. “There are very few voters. Even today, vehicles are still going around calling on people to come and vote.”

Despite the use of loudspeakers and mobile patrols to pressure residents into casting ballots, reports from across Kayin State indicate that voter turnout remains at an all-time low.