The National Unity and Development Party (NUDP) in Karenni state will not contest in Burma's forthcoming general elections on November 7.

The NUDP has been threatened by the Burmese junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) with the help of local authorities. Earlier others had been warned not to form parties in Karenni.

The chairperson of the Karenni National Youth Organisation, Sun Shine said, "They (NUDP) decided not to contest the election and closed all their offices”.

The NUDP has been continually facing difficulties that threaten their operations. The USDP with the help of local authorities have closed the NUDP chairman's private business ventures and forced members to sign a pledge not to get in touch with the Karenni Natinal Progressive Party. The offices in Deemawso were closed.

The NUDP was formed independently by Oo Mi Reh Myint party chairman and Oo Mi Reh (Yet Aung) secretary. Most youths in Karenni state have been encouraging the party.

"The USDP will not win the elections if NUDP contests in Karenni State. So it has been threatening the party," Khon Myo Minlatt, a politician who watches Karenni politics closely and is part of the Karenni National Community of Canada (KNCC) said.

But the NUDP was necessary for the Karenni people, said Oo Mi Reh Yet Aung, secretary of the NUDP.

The junta’s Election Commission on July 5 allowed the National Unity and Development Party (NUDP) in Kayah state to contest in this year’s elections, and gave it the registration number 40.