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In Yangon, for the second round of the sham election to be held in schools on 11 January 2026, the schools that will be used as polling stations will reportedly be closed from 8 January 2026 to 11 January 2026.

Two Women Arrested in Thaton for Alleged “Election Interference” as Residents Report Unequal Enforcement HURFOM: Two women were arrested by the Junta on the afternoon of December 28 in Thaton Township, accused of entering a polling station and campaigning for a political party, according to HURFOM field reporters. The arrests took place on election day at a polling station set up inside Joe Phyu Gone Primary School, located in Mayan Gone Village, Thaton Township. Witnesses said the two women, identified as Ma Khin Moe Hlaing (35) and Ma Khin Mar Wai (41), were taken away shortly after entering the polling station while villagers were casting their ballots. A male villager from Mayan Gone, around 50 years old, told HURFOM that polling officials and security personnel detained the women inside the polling station compound. “Polling officers and security accused Ma Khin Moe Hlaing of taking photos inside the polling station, and Ma Khin Mar Wai of persuading villagers to vote for the People’s Party,” he said. “Whether they actually campaigned inside the polling station is unclear. These accusations came from polling staff appointed by the Junta and the security forces. They were taken away, and the next day, December 29, they were charged for election interference at Thein Zeik Police Station.” Two other villagers from Joe Phyu Gone, who asked not to be named, told HURFOM that the women were not from Mayan Gone Village but from Thaton town. According to them, the women entered the polling station to lodge a complaint after noticing a strong presence of Junta-backed USDP supporters around the polling area. “They were unhappy that USDP supporters were openly surrounding and influencing the polling station,” one villager said. “After they went inside to complain, polling staff and security accused them of interfering with the election and arrested them.” Residents also reported that on the same day, USDP members and supporters appeared to dominate the area around the polling station, creating an intimidating environment. Some villagers said supporters of other parties entered the polling station area only to closely observe the process, fearing vote manipulation. According to a HURFOM field report based on sources close to Thein Zeik Police Station, both women have now been formally charged under Article 24(a) of the election law, accused of obstructing election officials while performing their duties. Local residents raised serious concerns over what they described as unequal enforcement of election rules. Several villagers told HURFOM that while USDP supporters were visibly active around polling stations, pressuring and intimidating voters, election officials and commission staff appeared to ignore these actions. “USDP supporters were openly pressuring villagers outside the polling station to vote for their party,” one resident said. “But there was no action taken by polling officials or the election commission.” A 40 year old female villager added that some polling staff and USDP supporters were seen carrying mobile phones and cameras inside restricted areas, despite election rules prohibiting such devices. “It makes us wonder if they were given impunity,” she said. Another villager described indirect threats used to force people to vote later in the day. “In the morning of December 28, very few people came to vote,” he said. “USDP supporters and village committee members warned that there would be consequences if people did not vote. Some villagers came in the afternoon out of fear. In my own family’s case, the village administrator said my son would not receive travel approval/supporting letter, if he did not vote. Just five days earlier, the administrator also directly threatened conscription.” These accounts reflect broader concerns reported by HURFOM across Mon State, where residents say fear, coercion, and selective enforcement of election laws continue to undermine any claim that the Junta’s election process is free, fair, or credible.

There are 10 wards in Shwebo town, but on Dec 28, they held elections in only 2 wards.

Under heavy security deployment, the Junta opened polling stations across Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State, on December 28 as part of the first phase of its planned 2025 election, according to HURFOM. Polling sites were surrounded by troops, police, militia members, and plainclothes intelligence officers, creating an atmosphere of surveillance and fear. Early in the morning, there was almost no civilian turnout until USDP supporters arrived with groups of voters. As one local observer described, “The whole process feels lifeless… It does not feel like a genuine election day at all.” Despite 117 polling stations being opened for more than 216,000 registered voters, the militarization, coercion, and lack of voluntary participation underscored the election’s lack of public trust and legitimacy in Mawlamyine and wider Mon State.

Community members reported that junta forces are going door to door in Yadanabon Ward No. (1), Monywa, threatening civilians with arrest and imprisonment if they do not vote.

Junta officials and forces are maintaining extremely tight security, preventing people from accessing inner areas, making on-the-ground monitoring highly risky. As they are intent on showcasing the ‘success’ of the election in Mon State, restrictions and security measures have been significantly tightened both on the ground and in the digital space.

"Soldiers are asked to cast votes on behalf of their family members." - Ko Bone Thit on Mizzima Panel

Junta military forces are reportedly campaigning and coercing civilians to vote in Aungmyaythazan Township of Mandalay. According to a community member, they even came to homes and told residents that those who do not vote would be sentenced to three years in prison.

Junta forces raided Nyaung Pin Thar village with a large number of troops to force residents to vote. The incidents began at around 2:30 p.m. They subsequently confiscated a fuel truck and motorbikes, and carried out porter conscription and arrests of civilians.

In North Okkalapa, municipal authorities reportedly announced today that market shops near polling stations will not be permitted to open.

Since this morning, the military junta has begun forcibly compelling civilians to vote. In some wards, including Nyaung Pin Zauk, junta personnel have entered neighborhoods and gone door to door, forcing residents to vote while checking household registration lists.

In every town in Bago West where elections will be held, there has been increased military presence with a battalion alongside four military jeeps mounted with machine guns, six confiscated civilian vehicles, district town (G-1) and other (battalion commanders).