A rumor has been spreading throughout Arakan State that casting a "No" vote in the upcoming referendum on 10 May will be met with a two year prison sentence, said a trader from Kyaukpru Township."We, all villagers, do not want to cast "Yes" votes, but we are anxious for our security because there is information that the military authority will punish with two years in prison anyone who casts a "No" vote in the referendum," he said.
There is no official confirmation of the truth of this information, but it is being spread throughout the state.
The trader said, "We do not know if it is true or not, but the news is spreading in our area. All villagers will cast "Yes" votes in the referendum due to fear of punishment if they cast "No" votes."
A source from Sittwe said it is true that the rumor is spreading in Arakan State and people in rural areas in Arakan will vote "Yes" in the referendum due to fear that the authority will take action if they vote against the proposed draft constitution.
But, the source added, most people in urban areas in Arakan State, including Sittwe, Kyaukpru, and Taungup, will still cast "No" votes in the referendum, despite the rumors that have been spreading.
There is speculation that army authorities in Arakan State created the rumor of the two-year prison sentences themselves behind closed doors to spread in Arakan State through government supporters.
At the same time, the high authority has sent many referendum campaigners to villages around Arakan State to mobilize people to cast "Yes" votes at the polls.
Source
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