Residents of Muse Township in Northern Shan State report being threatened by Myanmar’s military authorities that failure to vote in the upcoming junta-led election will result in the denial of passports or Temporary Border Passage Permits, locally known as “Red Books.”

Since mid-December, ward and village election sub-commissions under the military administration, accompanied by local administrators and police, have been conducting door-to-door visits to compile and finalize voter lists, according to residents.

A male resident of Muse told the SHAN that authorities warned residents that their voting records would be checked after election day. Those found not to have voted could be denied passport services or border permits if their documents expire or are lost.

“They told us that if we don’t vote within the designated period, our names will be checked later. If our passports expire and they see that we didn’t vote, they will not issue a Red Book or any other documents,” he said.

He added that residents feel they have little choice but to comply, as livelihoods in Muse depend heavily on cross-border movement to China for work and trade. Many believe the authorities are capable of enforcing these threats.

Muse residents, as well as migrant workers from other parts of Myanmar, rely on Red Books and short-term border passes to sustain their livelihoods through cross-border labor and commerce.

A female resident of Muse said officials have already begun linking election records to border document applications.

“People applying for border passes are now being asked for their voter list serial numbers. If you don’t have it or don’t know it, they won’t process your application,” she explained. “Everyone is afraid that if they don’t vote, they won’t get a Red Book. Just like when they made the Smart Card mandatory, they are now tying the election to border travel. We depend on entering and leaving China to survive.”

Currently, residents living near the Myanmar–China border are issued one-year Temporary Border Passage Permits, while those from inland areas receive seven-day entry passes for travel to China.

Muse Township is included in the first phase of the junta-led election. Only two political parties—the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), also known as the White Tiger Party, and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)—are expected to contest parliamentary seats in the township.