Residents in Kalaw Township, southern Shan State, say they fear increased extortion and forced recruitment if the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) Party—also known as the Pa-O militia—secures victory in the military regime’s election scheduled for January 11, according to local sources who spoke to SHAN on January 10.

Kalaw Township is included in Phase Two of the junta-led election. The main parties contesting the seat are the Danu Party, the Pa-O National Organization Party (PNO), and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

“I also heard that the Danu Party is telling people to vote for the PNO. If that is the case and the PNO wins, they will collect war taxes through extortion and recruit soldiers,” said a local Pa-O man living in La Mine village. “There have been one or two instances in the past when they came to collect money. Just last month, they even collected funds under the name of a Nawng Kar football match fee.”

Similar concerns were raised by a Pa-O man from Aungban who closely follows local politics. He warned that residents could be misled by the PNO’s campaign messaging, which he said frames the party as a representative of Pa-O nationalism—particularly effective in Pa-O-majority villages along the Kalaw Junction–Pang Laung (Pinlaung) road.

“They are campaigning in the name of ‘nationalism.’ Since the UPNO (Union Pa-O National Organization) is not contesting, they are acting as if they represent all Pa-O people,” he said. “I am also Pa-O, but I am disgusted by what the PNO does. Even here in Aungban town, they bully people, sell drugs, and operate gambling circles. They do anything if it brings them money. When an organization like that claims to work for nationalism, I feel ashamed for my people.”

The PNO, which currently cooperates with military junta forces, has long been accused by residents and civil society groups of drug trafficking, extortion, and land confiscation across parts of southern Shan State, including Lawksawk (Yatsauk), Taunggyi, Kalaw, and Ywanghwe (Nyaungshwe).

Adding to these concerns, the Inle Women’s Union recently released a statement alleging that at least 50 civilians were killed in 2025 during joint operations involving the military and the PNO militia in the Inle region of Nyaungshwe Township.

During Phase One of the military council’s election in southern Shan State, the PNO People’s Militia Party won seats in Taunggyi, Loilem, and Hopong. Following those results, reports emerged that PNO militia members threatened villagers in parts of Loilem Township to force them to vote.

Against this backdrop, residents in Kalaw say the upcoming vote is generating fear rather than confidence, with many viewing the election not as a political choice but as a pathway to deeper coercion and insecurity at the local level.