Mon Villagers Unsure, Indifferent about Referendum

By VIOLET CHO
Many Mon villagers have not yet decided how they are going to vote on May 10 or know little or nothing about the referendum, according to a survey by The Irrawaddy.

“I have no idea about this referendum,” said 19-year-old Chine Lon. “But I will do exactly the same as the older people in my community do.”

Another resident of Halockani, near Three Pagodas Pass in Mon State, unemployed Soe Aye, 25, admitted he too did not know anything about the referendum, but would vote the same as his friends.

According to The Irrawaddy’s findings, most younger villagers in Halockani expressed similar views and none had seen or read a copy of the draft constitution. However, several older villagers expressed awareness about the political situation in Burma and were clearer on how they would vote on May 10.

“We are going to vote ‘No’ because the constitution is undemocratic and does not represent the people,” said U Pinn, a leading member of Halockani. U Pinn said he and other village elders recently attended a debate about the draft constitution organized by the Mon Youth Progressive Organization.

Siek Chan Oung, secretary of the Mon Youth Progressive Organization, said, “People should know the consequences of legalizing the government’s constitution. It is very important that people understand that the constitution is undemocratic before they vote.”

The majority of people in Mon villages, such as Halockani, have similar viewpoints, said Siek Chan Oung. They do not have experience in voting, he said, adding that many Mon villagers are generally isolated from the cities and have less access to information. He said that at the debate they discussed the drafting of the constitution, the “Seven-step road map” and the national convention.

Most Mon organizations, including the Mon Youth Progressive Organization, have been campaigning for villagers to cast a “No” vote on May 10.

The Human Rights Foundation of Monland has been distributing leaflets and VCDs compiled with information about the injustice of the military’s constitution, according to coordinator U Mon.

During the New Year Water Festival an anti-referendum graffiti campaign began inside Mon State when campaigners used red and white paint to cover pro-junta billboards. Graffiti activists rewrote the word “No” over the “Yes” on the billboards. They also sprayed walls, roads and bus stops.

Meanwhile, the Burmese junta has been broadcasting their “Vote Yes” campaign daily in Mon State through official television channels and newspapers.

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