YANGON— Just two days ahead of Myanmar’s general election, a blast caused by explosives rocked the compound of Bago Region’s election sub-commission office on Friday.
It was the second attack on electoral officials after two unexploded hand grenades were thrown onto the grounds of a Naypyitaw election official’s home in late September.
“I heard a strong explosion at around 2:45 p.m. and saw smoke and papers drifting and burning outside the office,” Bago district’s election sub-commission secretary, U Min Thet Naung, told reporters after the incident.
Explosive material was apparently put in a paper box and left inside the compound, he said.
While no one was injured in the blast, locals remained frightened due to the incident.
A local who resides beside the commission’s office said she was afraid to go outside after hearing of the explosion.
Security personnel were investigating the incident.
“I assume this explosion aims to disrupt the general election by frightening people,” said Ko Zay Latt, a candidate of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) in Bago Region.
There were also bomb alerts in Mandalay-Pyin Oo Lwin on the night of Oct. 28, in Mandalay Region’s Chanayetharzan
The Nov. 8 general election will be the first held under a civilian government in six decades.
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