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----- Original Message -----
From: Chinland Guardian
To: Chinland Guardian
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 11:48 PM
Subject: ZalengamNet Referendum Failed in Zomi (Chin State): Mock Poll
Suggests
Referendum Failed in Zomi (Chin) State: Mock Poll Suggests
Chinland Guardian
April 27, 2008
An early simulated poll conducted by authorities in Zomi (Chin) State's
capital of Haka came up with a resounding "no" to the constitutional
referendum slated for May 10. The poll, conducted as part of a
state-sponsored campaign to educate and persuade voters in Zomi (Chin)
State
to vote for the new constitution, reveals that the majority of people
voted
"No" to the new constitution. The shocking result came as the State Peace
and Development Council intensified campaign efforts in Zomi (Chin) State.
Earlier this month, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brigadier
General
Thura Aung Ko, accompanied by Brigadier Genral Hung [sic] Ngai, chairman
and
administrative head of Zomi (Chin) State Peace and Development Council
were
in southern Zomi (Chin) State where they asked people to vote for the new
constitution at a public meeting attended by more than 500 people forced
to
attend the assembly.
"You should vote in this referendum unless you wish to have another 15
years
of military rule, since it was the time taken to draft the constititution
by
the army," was the message delivered to the Zomi (Chin) public by the two
ranking generals.
Meanwhile in Falam town****p of northern Zomi (Chin) State, authorities
have
warned public employees of termination of their jobs and punishment if
they
voted "no" in the upcoming referendum.
"The surprising result of the recent mock poll may have prompted the SPDC
to
change their campaign tactics" observes a local person. Brigadier General
Hung [sic] Ngai is now campaigning in Thantlang and Haka town****p by
trying
to buy votes by providing 150 bags of rice to villagers who are facing
food
shortage due to bad harvest.
Re****t coming from inside Zomi (Chin) state said that 5 people per village
including village headmen in Thantlang town****p have been summoned by the
local authority for training on how to conduct referendum. On April 24,
several mock poll station "huts" were built in front of Thantlang town
hall
where the training was conducted.
About Us
-------------------------------------------------------------
Covering Social and Politial Issues of Zomi (Chin) people and Burma
======================================
Chinland Guardian is an independent, internet-based news agency committed
to
providing reliable news and current issues about Zoland (Chinland) and
Burma
through a balanced, objective and professional re****ting.
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Zomi's copyediting:
The Chairman of Zomi State Peace and Development Council is
Brigadier-General Hong Ngai, not Hung Ngai.
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