A total of 19 parties including the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) sent an open letter dated on November 24, called on the President to take action against the Union Election Commission (UEC).
The 19 parties including the USDP have accused that the UEC went against the provisions of the 2008 Constitution and failed to perform its duties enshrined by the law.
The letter claimed that the recent election cannot be said to be free fair and transparent, due to the outbreaks of unlawful acts. The UEC did not allow the parties to monitor the compilation and release of the voter lists. The UEC was weak in supervision. The lists of voters become unreliable due to the lack of transparent checks on the lists, and the late issuance of lists. This made it difficult for representatives to monitor polling stations.
During the election campaign five ethnic political parties had complained about Bamar bias of the UEC and massive denial of ethnic populations of the right to vote especially in Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan among the six ethnic states.
This letter has accused the UEC of failing to hold the elections in accord with five criteria, as well as failing to perform the duties assigned under the Constitution. The 19 political parties called on the President to open an investigation into the UEC as quickly as possible.
However, the 19 parties signed this petition were all Yangon-based parties and they apparently did not consult ethnic parties who probably have even stronger claims in calling for a revamp of the National Elections Commission (UEC).
The open letter was signed by Chair of the USDP U Than Htay, U Soe Maung, Chair of the Democratic Party of National Politics, Chair of the New National Democracy Party U Thein Nyunt, Chair of the National Progressive Party Dr. Nay Zin Latt, U Tun Aung Kyaw, Chair of the Modern People’s Party, U Thein Kyi, Chair of National Political Allies Federation, U Aye Kyaing, Chair of the Rakhine State National United Party, Daw Sandar Oo, Chair of the Diversity and Peace Party, U Aung Than, Chair of New Era Union Party, U Kyaw Swa Soe, Chair of Myanmar Farmers’ Development Party, U Kyaw Zin, Chair of the Public of Labour Party, U Htay Aung, Chair of the People’s Force Party, Daw Aye Aye Thin, Chair of Yeomanry Development Party, Daw Nan Shwe Kyar, Joint Chair of the Wantharnu Democratic Party, U Myo Nyunt, the acting Chair of Democracy and Peace Party, U Tint Swe, Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party (Myanmar), Daw Khin San Mu, Vice-Chair of the Public Service Students Party, U Kyaw Tun Khaing, Vice-Chair of the Mro National Development Party and U Thaung Oo, Vice-Chair of the 88 Generation Democracy Party.
The USDP, the proxy party of the military issued a statement that it would not recognize the election results. The USDP is constantly working on making accusations against the UEC and the NLD.The most of the parties who sent the open letter faced losses in the recent elections. The NLD secured a landslide victory with a humiliating defeat for the USDP.
