A court in Naypyidaw yesterday set a date to hear the lawsuit filed by the Union Election Commission against National League for Democracy’s spokesperson and central campaign committee member Nyan Win.

The election commission is filing charges concerning alleged foul play that took place during the 1 April by-elections, when the NLD said ballots had been tampered with at a polling station in Pubbathiri township.

The UEC, after investigating the allegation, announced on 9 May that the NLD’s complaint were a ‘sham’.

Thaung Hlaing, director of the UEC said: “So they were misinformed – there was a widespread allegation of ballots coated with wax – but it wasn’t true. We demanded the [NLD] to publicly take back their accusation but they didn’t and so we had to sue them.”

“The [wax-ballot allegation] was actually somewhat worrying at the time [during the by-elections] but no one is allowed to look at them apart from ballot station supervisors – so we didn’t have much time to collect enough evidences,” said NLD spokesperson Nyan Win.

A hearing has been set for 26 June. Nyan Win’s request for bail was approved yesterday. Lawyers Kyaw Ho, San San Myint and Khin Maung Zaw will provide the spokesperson will legal assistance during the hearing.