Major General Soe Myat Htut, commander of the Eastern Central Command, was reportedly seen visiting polling stations in both urban and rural areas of Namsang Township, including areas around Kho Lam, where the Eastern Central Command headquarters and an Air Force base are located.

On December 27, 2025—the official “Silent Day” ahead of Myanmar’s national election—residents of Namsang Township reported that a senior military commander visited polling stations in what locals described as voter intimidation aimed at securing support for the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

According to residents, the commander’s presence was accompanied by increased activity from government departments urging people to vote.

“I heard the commander was inspecting polling stations in the town and nearby villages this morning,” one resident told SHAN. “Government departments were also telling people they must vote. There are rumors that the USDP has already won all advance votes, though no official figures have been released.”

Under Myanmar’s election laws, campaigning is prohibited on the day before voting, commonly known as “Silent Day.” Armed personnel are also expected to stay away from polling stations to prevent intimidation or undue influence on voters.

An election observer described the situation as a serious violation of electoral norms.

“The Regional Commander entered polling stations in full military uniform and was heavily armed,” the observer said. “Government departments mobilizing voters on Silent Day amounts to coercion in the current political climate. Under a civilian administration, this would not be acceptable. A commander entering polling stations with weapons on Silent Day clearly violates election standards.”

Given the heavy military presence in the area—including an Air Force base and the Eastern Central Command headquarters—residents and political observers widely expect the USDP to dominate the vote in Namsang Township.

Several political parties are contesting the election in the area, including the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP, also known as the White Tiger Party), the Pa-O National Organization (PNO), the National Unity Party (NUP), and the People’s Party (PPP).

According to data released by the military-appointed Election Commission, Namsang Township has 87,491 eligible voters, 78 polling stations, 11 wards, and 20 village tracts, including Namsang town and Kho Lam.

As election day approaches, concerns remain high over the fairness of the process in militarized areas, where the presence of armed forces continues to influence voter behavior and undermine confidence in electoral integrity.