Though the Nov. 7 election took place almost two weeks ago and the Burmese military government has since announced a landslide victory for their Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the Burmese people have had a laugh at newspaper reports on the election results.

The first cause of merriment were reports that stated more than 100 percent of voters turned out on election day in some townships.

On Nov.16, the state-run-newspapers corrected a previous report that stated 102.09 percent of voters had turned out in No.1 constituency in Taungoo Township, Pegu Region, saying the correct figure was 99.57 percent and said the turn out in Taungoo's No.2 constituency was 87.6 percent and not 85.64 percent as earlier reported.

“The Union Election Commission is designated to appoint the state’s new government, but since they have announced mistakes it is obvious they are cheating,” said a candidate who was defeated in the Nov.7 election.

Further corrections were published on Nov. 17 for Ann Township in Arakan State, replacing a 104.28 percent turnout with 71.74 percent. The newspapers also corrected election data from South Dagon Township of Rangoon and Kyaukpadaung Township in Mandalay region.

The newspapers also announced two USDP candidates as winning in two constituencies where the election had been previously cancelled for security reasons.

“The newspapers said USDP candidates won in two constituencies where the elections had been cancelled in Kachin State—the USDP not only won across the country but also in areas where the elections were not held,” quipped a Rangoon businessman.

Some political parties contesting in the elections said they are preparing to sue the USDP and the election commission for vote cheating. 

Based on official statistics, China’s state-run Xinhua said the USDP won 76.5 percent of the three types of parliamentary seats in the elections.