The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has used a government primary school building for election campaign among the people in constituency 2 at the behest of Pu Gosianthang, the Chairman of sub-Rihkhawdar, Falam townships on 9 August.

“The public meeting was held from 10 am to 2 pm on Monday 9 August. The school was closed for the meeting, which was attended by 700 people. The meeting highlighted the need to support USDP in the elections,” said one of the participants.

All the participants put their signature. The security arrangements at the meeting were taken care of by the military, the police and volunteer firefighters.

Another meeting has held in Rihkhawdar constituency no. 1 led by the same leader.
A member of the National Union Party (NUP) said, “The election law prohibits use of government buildings and playgrounds for poll campaign but the USDP has violated the rules. However, it is their law and they can do whatever they want.”

Guideline No. 2/2010 para (d)(1) of the State Election Commission prohibits the use of offices of the government and its organizations, factories, markets, playgrounds, religious places, shops, schools, civil hospitals and other public areas for campaigning.

In the 1990 general election, former leader U Ne Win led the National Unity Party which emerged from his Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP) in 13 constituencies of Chin state, but it won only one seat in Parliament. Now Senior General Than Shwe is following in his footsteps and trying to use the by Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) to win the 2010 general election.