National League for Democracy (NLD) has lodged a complaint to the township election sub-commission about the hosting of Karen national flag together with the election vinyl by a candidate from the Karen People’s Party (KPP) in Pantanaw Township in Ayeyawady Region.

On October 9, U Thein Sein from the NLD in Sagaing village-tract in Pantanaw Township lodged a complaint about the use of Karen National Flag by Phado Mann Nyein Maung, a candidate from the KPP.

Mann Nyunt Thein, Chair of the Pantanaw Township NLD said: “Karen people asked why the Karen national flag is hosted instead of the party’s flag. They called on me to inform it to the sub-commission.”

Daw Khin Thanda Myint, Secretary of Township Election Sub-Commission said on October 14: “On October 13, the township sub-commission held a meeting about the letter of complaint sent by the NLD over the use of Karen National Flag. Then, the sub-commission directed the KPP candidate not to use the Karen national flag instead of the party’s flag.”

Sa Ye Thurein Han, a candidate from Pantanaw Region Constituency-2 said:  “The party hosted its own flag when vinyl and signboards were erected. The Karen flag was hosted due to the shortage of the party’s flags. Some other parties are also using the Karen National flag in different forms. The party will follow the instructions of the commission.”

Mann Htein Win Sein, Vice-Chair of Karen National Party (KNP) said: “Karen national flag should not be used as the flag is linked to all Karen nationals, and a single party or organization doesn’t represent the entirety of all Karen citizens.”

Upper House MP Sa Khin Zaw Lin from the NLD said: “Political parties should not use the Karen national flag as it is linked to all Karen nationals.”

There were official reprimands to all political parties using the Karen National flag. The Union Election Commission (UEC) accepted the complaint.  

The Karen National Flag was created in Karen National New Year in 1937.