Hundreds of people joined a rally in support of the military’s ongoing challenge to the Union Election Commission (UEC) in Yangon on Friday.
Myo Win, a candidate for the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) who last year lost his bid for a seat representing Yangon’s Tamwe township, delivered a speech at U Htaung Bo roundabout in Bahan as part of the rally.
Meanwhile, a crowd of marchers holding Myanmar flags made their way to Kyay Thun pagoda, east of Shwedagon. They were joined along the way by others who appeared to be waiting for the procession to pass.
Observers noted that the only people holding flags were women, while rough-looking men who shadowed the march dared onlookers to snatch the flags away from them.
Police on security duty kept their distance from the marchers, perhaps fearing violence from the menacing men who accompanied them.
Without presenting clear evidence, the military and the USDP have repeatedly claimed that last year’s election was rife with irregularities that could amount to vote-rigging.
News and Photos: Myanmar Now
