Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A Shan political party that won 57 parliamentary seats in controversial Burmese national elections last month is to convene a party conference in the scenic Shan Highland town of Maymyo, Mandalay Division early next week, a party founder said today.

The Shan Nationals Democratic Party, aka White Tiger Party, will hold the three-day conference from Monday, addressing issues such as education and health services in the towns where its party offices were located, a party founder, Sao Hsai Mong, told Mizzima. The party would also set out its five-year policy plan, he added.

The number of central executive committee members of the party will be raised from 15 to 21 at the gathering, the central executive member from Panglong said.

“The party will re-elect central executive committee members from eastern, southern and northern parts of Shan State; and Kachin State, to seek geographic balance,” Sao Hsai Mong said, without elaborating. 

He estimated that more than 100 party members, including lawmakers elected last month, party township branch chairmen and secretaries would attend.

The SNDP was registered with the junta’s electoral watchdog, the Union Election Commission, on May 26 and was founded a month before by 15 Shan leaders including party chairman Sai Aik Paung, aka Sai Ai Pao, from Nanhkan Township; vice-chairman Sai Saung Si of Kyaukme Township; general secretary Sai Hla Kyaw, of Hopong Township; and other leaders from Taunggyi, Putao, Mogok, Muse, Mongkung, Kyethi townships.

The SNDP has won 57 parliamentary seats in the election on November 7, making it the third strongest party in terms of the number of lawmakers elected.