The Irrawaddy Burma Election 2010

While activists are stepping up the election boycott campaign, Burmese authorities have beefed up security forces in Rangoon in preparation for the election in five days, Rangoon sources said.

Election boycott activists have been wearing T-shirts opposing the election and distributing pamplets telling people they have the right not to vote.

Meanwhile security forces have been strengthened to clamp down any popular uprising during the election, a Rangoon police officer said.

“We have tightened security in different places in the city to prevent any uprising as it is close to election day,” he said.

Police forces have been deployed in Pabedan, Kyauk Tada, Latha, and Hle Dan Townships in downtown areas of Rangoon.

Meanwhile troops from Light Infantry Division (LID) No 66 and 77, which were involved in the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters during the Saffron Revolution in 2007, have been deployed in South Dagon, North Okkalapa and South Okkalapa Townships on Rangoon's outskirts.

The regime has deployed more police to maintain security in downtown areas as part of a move to depend on police rather than military units for maintaining internal security after the election,   according to military sources.

The Myanmar (Burmese) Police Force have been reinforced and since August have been trained in protest control and arson prevention during popular uprisings, the sources said.

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