Six members were chosen from Mudon township where the main celebration will take place. Two or three were chosen from various other townships. Out of the 33 member organizing committee, eight were chosen to be part of the executive committee in charge of overseeing the whole operation.

The elected members are Nai Thet Lwin; Chairman, Dr. Min Kyi Win; Joint-chairman 1, Dr. Min Htun Shein; Joint-chairman 2, Nai Ngwe; Joint-chairman 3, Min Banyar Chans; General Secretary, Min Soe Win; Joint-secretary 1, Nai Banyar Gont; Joint secretary 2, and Nai Aie Mon; Joint-secretary 3.

Members of the sub-committee tasked with organizing respective schedules will be elected on Nov. 2.

Some were upset that the majority of the candidates chosen for both the executive and the organizing committee are from townships where the Mon Democracy Party (MDP) is favoured. Several expressed this frustration on Facebook.

“The township representatives would like to elect members for the MND (Mon National Day) EC (executive committee) with those who are outside of political parties. And, now alone, a lot of members are from one party. So, it seems like to criticize because none of the members from another Mon political parties are included,” said one Mon youth from Kamarwat village in Mudon Township.

Mon National Day is celebrated in various locations across the country and international locations where Mons have resettled, but the central location where the largest festivities take place is rotated every year.

This year it will take place in Kamarwat village on Feb. 15. Last year it was in Paung Town; both are in Mon State. Last year it lasted three days and attracted about 10,000 participants.