Candidates of the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA), in Chin State , Burma , are being backed financially as well as with manpower by the SPDC government, for the forthcoming 2010 general elections.
The SPDC government has provided slots for retired people in the USDA. The retired include government’s employees and military officers as well as those who have participated in the National Convention, said a member of the USDA.
“I know the candidates of USDA have already represented the government, as it was established by the government itself so that the government could help them in order to win the 2010 general elections. And the government will act just like they did during the Referendum, in the forthcoming elections. They will force the people to vote for their candidates,” an anonymous person in Kalemyo said.
He added that people did not have any interest in the election; they were just struggling for their livelihood. They are already aware that the election will be conducted according to the government’s methods.
A member of the USDA in Falam Township reported that the convention represented people like Mr. Kap Tial and Mr. Lal Tin Mang were being reserved as candidates for the general election.
“We wanted to select the candidates from our members. It is not natural for them to be appointed by the central authorities. However, our leaders are appointed by the central authorities only – it is very sad,” he added.
In fact, the four leaders of USDA and the convention represented people have been selected as the committee members of elections in ThanTlang Township . Among them one person will be selected as a candidate for the forthcoming 2010 general elections.
The SPDC military officers are campaigning in every township of Chin state, along with popular singers in order to persuade the people to vote. Miss Sung Tin Par, the most popular Chin female singer, also campaigned for the government in Chin state.
Although the military government has already started the election campaign within the country, other parties – like the National League for Democracy and National United Party have been prohibited from any activities for the forthcoming general elections till date.