By Hanthar Hein - Oct 13, 2025

According to a statement released by the STUM (Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar), prison authorities are reportedly pressuring detainees, including labour rights activist Daw Myo Myo Aye who is currently incarcerated to cast advance votes for the upcoming elections.

Daw Myo Myo Aye and other prisoners are being threatened with punitive measures such as disciplinary restrictions and classification of their ballots as invalid protest votes if they refuse to participate in the advance voting process, the statement claims.

Daw Myo Myo Aye, leader of STUM, was arrested on the night of July 25 at 9:30 p.m. from her residence in Shwepyithar Township. Other members of the union were also subsequently detained. They were charged under Section 5(1)(f)(j) of the Section 1961 of the Criminal Probation and Probation Act and Sections 40 and 41 of law on registration of associations by the authorities under SSPC.

Currently, the Shwepyithar Township Court has begun hearing witness testimonies from the prosecution in the habitual offender’s case. It is also continuing to investigate the charges under Sections 40 and 41 of the Associations Registration Law and has summoned prosecution witnesses for the next hearing.

The court has reportedly scheduled hearings for both cases on October 23 at the Shwepyithar Township Court.