BANGKOK: The United States has told Myanmar's military leaders to de-escalate religious tensions ahead of the country's landmark elections next month, amid fears of vote rigging attempts.
Ben Rhodes, one of US President Barack Obama's top aides, warned the government in Naypyitaw the use of religion in politics violated Myanmar's constitution and could lead to instability and violence.
"We see the risk of religious expression being inconsistent with the constitution which separates religion and politics," he said.
"When that happens, ultimately it causes danger to religious minorities."
Hardliners from a radical Buddhist organisation called Ma Ba Tha have organised anti-Muslim rallies in support of laws seen as targeting the country's Muslim minority, stoking communal tensions in the Buddhist-majority country ahead of elections on November 8.
Mr Rhodes also warned Myanmar's leaders that not respecting the outcome of the election would "clearly represent a step backward" and the US "would have to make an assessment of any policy response".
A military junta ignored the results of elections in 1990 won by the National League for Democracy (NLD) in a landslide, and kept opposition leader and Nobel Peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for 15 years.
The elections are seen as a test of how far the country has progressed since decades of military rule ended in 2011.
Mr Rhodes said Mr Obama sent him to Myanmar, where he met military-backed president Thein Sein and Ms Suu Kyi, to express the US's view that the election must be transparent and "reflect the will of the people".
Ms Suu Kyi's party is expected to poll strongly across most of the country unless her opponents use intimidation and violence to disrupt polling.
The NLD will need to win more than 67 percent of the vote to take control of parliament because a quarter of seats are reserved for the military.
Ms Suu Kyi told voters at a campaign rally to be wary of parties that have threatened people that they should not to vote for the NLD, as they may attempt to rig votes.
"Forcing people to cast advance votes is in violation of the law," she said.
"I would like to tell people not to be afraid, despite the threats."
Ms Suu Kyi said "sweet-talkers will flatter voters, saying they will give them incentives to vote another way.
"The people need to know the value of a vote," she said.
"The people should not believe in flatterers."
Rights groups have condemned the recent arrest of two activists who allegedly mocked the military online, saying it was a form of intimidation. Social media is expected to play a key role in the election result.
The government has also been criticised for detaining and charging an independent candidate at the elections over a peaceful protest that took place 10 months ago.
Last week it rejected a proposal by the country's election commission to postpone elections, saying it would go ahead as scheduled.
Mr Rhodes has also visited Laos this week where he attended sessions on clearing unexploded ordinances, visited American interests and ran his first half marathon, according to his own Twitter account.
Ben Rhodes, one of US President Barack Obama's top aides, warned the government in Naypyitaw the use of religion in politics violated Myanmar's constitution and could lead to instability and violence.
"We see the risk of religious expression being inconsistent with the constitution which separates religion and politics," he said.
"When that happens, ultimately it causes danger to religious minorities."
Hardliners from a radical Buddhist organisation called Ma Ba Tha have organised anti-Muslim rallies in support of laws seen as targeting the country's Muslim minority, stoking communal tensions in the Buddhist-majority country ahead of elections on November 8.
Mr Rhodes also warned Myanmar's leaders that not respecting the outcome of the election would "clearly represent a step backward" and the US "would have to make an assessment of any policy response".
A military junta ignored the results of elections in 1990 won by the National League for Democracy (NLD) in a landslide, and kept opposition leader and Nobel Peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for 15 years.
The elections are seen as a test of how far the country has progressed since decades of military rule ended in 2011.
Mr Rhodes said Mr Obama sent him to Myanmar, where he met military-backed president Thein Sein and Ms Suu Kyi, to express the US's view that the election must be transparent and "reflect the will of the people".
Ms Suu Kyi's party is expected to poll strongly across most of the country unless her opponents use intimidation and violence to disrupt polling.
The NLD will need to win more than 67 percent of the vote to take control of parliament because a quarter of seats are reserved for the military.
Ms Suu Kyi told voters at a campaign rally to be wary of parties that have threatened people that they should not to vote for the NLD, as they may attempt to rig votes.
"Forcing people to cast advance votes is in violation of the law," she said.
"I would like to tell people not to be afraid, despite the threats."
Ms Suu Kyi said "sweet-talkers will flatter voters, saying they will give them incentives to vote another way.
"The people need to know the value of a vote," she said.
"The people should not believe in flatterers."
Rights groups have condemned the recent arrest of two activists who allegedly mocked the military online, saying it was a form of intimidation. Social media is expected to play a key role in the election result.
The government has also been criticised for detaining and charging an independent candidate at the elections over a peaceful protest that took place 10 months ago.
Last week it rejected a proposal by the country's election commission to postpone elections, saying it would go ahead as scheduled.
Mr Rhodes has also visited Laos this week where he attended sessions on clearing unexploded ordinances, visited American interests and ran his first half marathon, according to his own Twitter account.
