Yangon Police to secure by-elections

Yangon Region Police yesterday announced that half of its police force will be on patrol before, during and after the 1 April by-elections in order to maintain security and ensure that voters can exercise their right to enjoy clear, unimpeded access to voting booths.
“This is done so the citizens can freely participate in the elections,” said Police Major Hla Wai of Yangon Region Police Force. “Half of the townships involved in the by-elections are located in the Yangon Region. Just like in the 2015 elections we are deploying 50 per cent of our police force to ensure the security and successful transition of the election,” he said.
Of the 2,000 voting booths in the entire country, 942 booths are located in the Yangon Region alone.
“We will place our forces strategically and to prevent security breaches there will be sentry duties and patrols,” Police Major Hla Wai said.
The police force will be on duty before the elections, during campaigns, in the election process, and after the election. Sentries and patrols on bicycles, motorbikes and other vehicles will be deployed, he said.
The by-elections will decide contests for four seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw among candidates from New Dagon City (Port), New Dagon City (East), Kawmhu and Hlinetharya Townships, while candidates from Dagon Seikkan, Latha, Lanmadaw, Ahlone, Kyimyindine, Kamayut and Hlaing Townships will be competing for one seat in the Amyotha Hluttaw.
With three seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw, nine seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw and seven seats in Regional Hluttaws, a total of 19 seats are being vied for in the coming April 1 by-election. The by-election will be held in 22 townships involving 96 candidates from 24 political parties.