Myanmar trains controversial 'election police'
Agence France - Presse
Yangon
IN A makeshift classroom in down town Yangon, rows of uniformed men listened to lessons on election security as they prepare to join Myanmar's controversial 40,000 - strong special polling day police force.
The former junta - ruled nation will hold a highly anticipated election on November 8 in what many hope could be the freest in decades.
Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition is expected to make major gains.
But there are concerns unrest could flase in the conflict - prone nation - where relidious tensions are simmering - while the use of civilian deputies has sparked unease given the country's long history of military rulers using armed thugs to suppress opposition.
"They need more police and I wanted to help as much as I could," said Aung Swe Oo, a deputy head of the local fire service in botadaung township who was undergoing training on Monday.
"we learned basic military subjects, the laws and principles of the election and police rules. But the priority is how to act during the polls and how to be ready," the 45 - year - old said, without elaborating what scenarios they might prepare for. Some 41 recruits were undergoging lessons at the local police station on Monday - one for each polling station in the township. They have been kitted out with police uniforms, but with "spe- cial election police" red epaulettes on their shoulders.
Last month's announcement that a special force would be created followed a joint atatement from countries including the US and Japan expressing alarm that rising religious tensions could spark conflict around the elections.
The country has been shaken by sporadic outbursts of often deadly religious unrest since 2012, with minority Muslims facing increasing political exclusion as the influence of nationalist Buddhist monks grows.
The special police will be unarmed and wield fewer powers than official police, according to officials. They will be paid around $ 140 ( Bt4,900 ), the same monthly salsry regular officers receive.
Use of civilians by Myanmar authorities as part of crackdowns has a long and controversial history in a nation where the military brutally suppressed dissent during its nearly 50 year rule. Most recently men believed to be deputised civilians in plain clothes with red armbands were seen beating protesters alongside police at a student protest in March.