National League for Democracy chairman Aung San Suu Kyi had planned to deliver speeches on March 6 in Dekkhina Thiri, Ottara Thiri, Zabu Thiri and Pobba Thiri townships in Naypyitaw, but was denied permission in two of the townships, NLD campaign secretary Nyan Win said.
 
“We’ve applied for the permits again.. We only want a fair competition,” Nyan Win said.
 
The NLD failed to get permission in Pobba Thiri Township, in which NLD candidate Zay Yar Thaw, a popular singer, will stand in the by-election, and Zabu Thiri Township, in which NLD candidate Sandar Min will stand. Suu Kyi wants to deliver speeches in the two townships in support of the NLD candidates, if permission is granted.
 
Candidate Zay Yar Thaw said that earlier the NLD had made arrangements for Suu Kyi to deliver a speech on what he described as “farmland” in the township, but, on February 29, the District Election Commission informed the township administrative office that it objected to the planned location of the rally.
 
“That means they [the township] cannot give permission,” he said. “The letter from the township administrative office said that the location is near a monastery and also near a school,” Zay Yar Thaw said. He said the decision would be appealed at the Union Election Commission (UEC) level.
 
Zay Yar Thaw said that the UEC also warned the NLD about making campaign trips without informing the UEC in advance.

In other political matters, columnist Ngar Min Swe, who writes articles in state-run newspapers, has reportedly distributed letters in Thongwa Township, Rangoon Region, saying that Aung San Suu Kyi’s support of sanctions against Burma is a mistake.
 
Elsewhere, two NLD signboards were destroyed in Naypyitaw, and the NLD has filed a complaint with the UEC.

Meanwhile, Suu Kyi continues campaigning. On Thursday, she made a one-day campaign trip to Shan State and delivered speeches in Kalaw, Aung Ban and Heho.