NATOGYI TOWNSHIP, MANDALAY REGION

The National League for Democracy claims a smear campaign has been launched against it in Mandalay’s Natogyi township just before voters head to the polls, with unknown persons distributing pamphlets alleging that the party is backed by Muslims.

In the early hours of November 7 – officially designated a campaign-free day, to give voters peace and quiet to weigh up their options – anti-NLD pamphlets were distributed widely in the town, an official from the NLD township office told The Myanmar Times.

“‘Time to change’ Yes, it is time to change, but not with the NLD … The current government is not good but it is not as bad as the Kalar,” the pamphlet said, using a perjorative term for Muslim.

“We will change the current government through the public’s force. We can’t give power to the [NLD], who depends on Muslims. We want to put food into a monk’s bowl when the sun rises.”

The pamphlet was signed Maung Khant Zaw (Ma Kyi Ma Naut).

NLD secretary for Natogyi U Kyaw Swe said it was the first time such materials had been distributed during the campaign period, but similar incident had occurred during the by-elections in 2012, when the NLD won the Pyithu Hluttaw seat of Natogyi.

He said the branch had no confidence that electoral officials or police would take any action.

“We aren’t bothering to file cases about these incidents anymore,” he said.

“We kind of expected it would happen because we have faced this situation many times before [in other townships]. Even when we report it, theelection commission can’t solve this problem.”

Natogyi township election commission chair U Mya Maung said his body would investigate if it received a formal complaint.
“But I think this case concerns the Ministry of Information,” he said.