A parliamentary candidate from the People’s Pioneer Party (PPP) and his son have been arrested by the military regime in Taunggyi Township, the capital of Shan State, for allegedly killing their neighbor earlier this month.

At around 2 a.m. on November 5, PPP candidate Sai Shwe Htee and his son Sai Kyaw Soe Moe, both from Ayethaya town in Taunggyi Township, allegedly beat their neighbor Sai Tun Sar to death, according to local residents.

“A lot of people are saying it wasn’t because of stealing a chicken,” said a resident from Ayethaya familiar with the case. “The families live next door. The victim was returning home through the back alley when the candidate’s son shouted ‘Thief! Thief!’ and they both attacked him.”

Military-run media reported that the pair accused the neighbor of attempting to steal a chicken and beat him with a stick during the Tazaungdaing full moon festival, a night often associated with pranks and so-called “Thieves’ Night.”

According to the same local source, the candidate’s son was already known for erratic behavior, possibly related to drug or alcohol use. “He had thrown stones at houses before. He and the victim were actually old friends,” he said.

Police under the military regime arrested the father and son on November 5. They are being held at the Ayethaya Township police station and face charges under Sections 302 and 114 of the Penal Code (homicide and abetment of homicide).

Residents in Taunggyi say the case—especially involving a candidate in the junta-organized election—has stirred fear and public criticism within the community.

Sai Shwe Htee had been officially listed by the military’s Union Election Commission (UEC) as a PPP candidate for the Shan State parliament under the proportional representation (PR) system in Taunggyi Constituency (1).

PPP Vice-Chairman U Saw Han Aye told the media that because the arrest occurred after the candidate submission deadline, his candidacy “will be forfeited and cannot be replaced.”

In late October, the UEC also disqualified PPP chairperson Daw Thet Thet Khine as a parliamentary candidate. Although she filed an appeal, there has been no positive outcome so far.

The PPP plans to contest the military council’s December election, fielding more than 500 candidates nationwide.

The case has compounded public skepticism regarding the credibility of the junta’s planned polls in Shan State.