At the Polls

An unarmed security guard watches as polls open in Mandalay.
Unarmed security watches as polls open in Mandalay.
A last minute how to.
A last minute how-to.
Braving the heat to vote in Moulmein.
Early turnout in Moulmein. Many stations have opened on time, but a few had delays as officers prepared the ballot boxes.
In 2010, when Aung Tun went to vote in Talawgyi, he was handed a pencil and told what to choose. The 73-year-old, displaced after renewed fighting between the military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), says he was really excited to vote today as Bur
(Myitkyina) – In 2010, when Aung Tun went to vote in Talawgyi, he was handed a pencil and told what to choose. The 73-year-old, displaced after renewed fighting between the military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), says he was really excited to vote today as Burma goes to polls. “In 2010, we were ordered. This time, it is a bit more open, a little bit different,” he said. “I have never seen parties campaign like this. I felt we might have a choice.” But Aung Tun cannot vote, because his name is missing from the electoral rolls. “I really want to vote but I can’t because I have no voting card.” The Union Election Commission’s decisions at the Rung Gwak IDP camp in Myitkyina in Kachin state to recognize voters has been arbitrary and messy. Several of Aung Tun’s family members are on the list while he is not. Of the 242 eligible voters at the camp, only 154 were approved. “I really want peace,” Aung Tun said. “I had hoped to vote for peace, but I can’t.”
Indelible ink to prevent double voting.
Indelible ink to prevent double voting, first time being used in Burma.
Early voters in Moulmein, including many first timers. Total voting time at three stations at 7 a.m. was around 30 minutes. Some voters complained about confusion inside, but overall sense is one of excitement.
Early voters in Moulmein, including many first timers. Total voting time at three stations at 7 a.m. was around 30 minutes. Some voters complained about confusion inside, but overall sense is one of excitement.
People line up to vote. "I have done my duty," said a 31 year old. "Finally possible."
People line up to vote in Kachin State. "I have done my duty," said a 31 year old. "Finally possible."
Two special police stationed at many polling stations in Moulmein.
Two special police stationed at many polling stations in Moulmein: http://www.irrawaddy.org/election/feature/special-police-get-ready-for-burma-elections
I am happy. Hope things become better in my country.
A voter in Mytikyina, Kachin State: "I am happy. Hope things become better in my country."
A Shan man who voted in 1990, 2008, and 2010, proudly shows his ink stained finger after voting in Taunngyi, Shan State. He joined the polling station at 6 a.m., and waited patiently for one hour to cast his vote.
A Shan man who voted in 1990, 2008, and 2010, proudly shows his ink stained finger after voting in Taunngyi, Shan State. He joined the polling station at 6 a.m., and waited patiently for one hour to cast his vote.
"It really feels good," says Bawk La.
"It really feels good," says Bawk La in Myitkyina.
Some families will travel long distances throughout the day so that members registered in different townships can vote at their assigned stations.
Some families will travel long distances throughout the day so that members registered in different townships can vote at their assigned stations.
U Ze Hkawng made sure all 138 IDPs at his church camp in Myitkyina were included in the voter list.
U Ze Hkawng made sure all 138 IDPs at his church camp in Myitkyina were included in the voter list.
In Myitkyina, lines are building up again after Sunday service.
In Myitkyina, lines are building up again after Sunday service.
In Moulmein, voting has slowed to a trickle in the agressive midday heat. Security guards remove their uniforms and polling station officers take lunch in shifts.
In Moulmein, voting has slowed to a trickle after the morning's long lines. Polling station officers take lunch in shifts and security guards remove their uniforms in the 93 degree heat.
Kumar, a Gorkha, can't find his name on the list. "I feel really so sad I cannot vote."
Kumar, a Gurkha, can't find his name on the list. "I feel really so sad I cannot vote."
Moe Moe went to the polls early before work. "Not too exciting," she said; the outcome "may be good, may be bad." But she doesn't bear a "purple pinky" indicating that she's already voted. "I washed it off," she shrugs. Other voters in Moulmein have also
Moe Moe went to the polls early before work. "Not too exciting," she said. The outcome "may be good, may be bad." But she doesn't bear a "purple pinky" indicating that she's already voted. "I washed it off," she shrugs. Other voters in Moulmein have also found the "indelible" ink, meant to prevent double voting, easy to remove.
In some areas of the country, voting will continue past the 4 p.m. closing time as long queues continue to make their way through the stations. In Moulmein, however, no end-of-the-day rush appeared, and stations started closing up with little fanfare. A p
In some areas of the country, voting will continue past the 4 p.m. closing time as long queues continue to make their way through the stations. In Moulmein, however, no end-of-the-day rush appeared, and stations started closing up with little fanfare. A plainclothes police officer working at a station in Myaing Tharyar quarter said that the majority of voting was done by 12 p.m.

Polls in Burma opened this morning at 6 a.m. and are set to close at 4 p.m. Approximately 32 million people are eligible to vote at the country's 47,000 polling stations. Collected here are election day moments from around the country.

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