The Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) in Mon State has stepped up its election campaign in Ye township, according to local sources.
“We are a social organization and work for the interest of the general public. We will focus on local development and replace unfit local headmen who abuse their power with good leaders if we are elected,” said a USDA leader during a meeting in Ye.
However, a civil servant from Yan Kyi Aung Quarter in Ye reacted differently and expressed the opinion that the civilians know full well the USDA is backed by the military and will not vote for them.
Other sources said that USDA election campaigns have been launched throughout other parts of Mon State, including Paung, Kyaimayaw, Mudon and Thanbyu Zayat Townships.
Local village headmen in Ye are being pressured into recruiting only USDA members ranging from 50 to 100 people. “It is not easy, the people are not interested and don’t want to support the USDA,” says a village headman from northern Ye, who spoke under condition of anonymity to a Kaowao field reporter.
In November last year, the USDA launched a number of similar campaigns in Ye and Kyaikmayw of Mon state and Kawkareik township in Karen State.
The USDA, founded by the SPDC as a GONGO (government organized non-governmental organization) in 1993, has a main office which is in charge of 17 State and Division Associations, 66 District Associations and 320 Township Associations, and boasts over 24 million members as of April 2007.
Meanwhile, many Mon leaders and activists who gathered at the funeral service of Nai Thein Maung, who died on March 17, 2009, expressed their views on the new election.
“We are studying the SPDC’s election law and will soon decide for the interest of the Mon people,” said a spokesperson from the Mon working committee which was formed in June last year. The Mon working committee, comprises of NMSP veterans, the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) members and retired civil servants, and was formed to prepare for the forthcoming 2010 election.
On March 16 2009, the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) sent an open letter to the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, calling for international pressure that ensures the SPDC holds a free and fair 2010 election. Nai Ngwe Thein, the spokesman and the Member of Secretariat for the UNA, states that the SPDC election laws are against the opinions of the international community and the desires of the people.
