Her visit will be timely,” he said. “Because my campaign will begin on 27 February.”

Asked why it took him so long to kick-start his campaign, he replied it was because he had to apply for permission from the Elections Commission first.

He believes he stands a good chance of being re-elected, if fair play is ensured. “Of course, I have received reports of People’s Militia Forces (PMFs) threatening villagers to vote only for the lions (the military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party’s emblem). But since I have no evidence to present to the authorities, there is as yet no plan to lodge a formal complaint.”

During the last elections in 2010, Lashio Elections Commission (EC) had demanded evidences such as photos, video tapes, audio tapes and witnesses or face libel action.

Sai Myint Maung’s competitors include Dr Nang Keng Phawng Tip (USDP), Sai Sam Min (Shan Nationalities Democratic Party), Luo Xingguang (Kokang Democracy and Unity Party) and another from Lahu National Democratic Party (LNDP). The last two are regarded as spoilers planted by the USDP, according to local sources.

Sai Sam Min meanwhile says he expects less votes in Lashio, but more in the 4 outlying townships: Hsenwi, Kunlong, Tangyan and Mongyai.

The seat was vacated by Dr Sai Mawk Kham who was later appointed as Vice President #2 in the Thein Sein administration. He had reportedly accepted defeat by his SNDP opponent Sai Thant Zin after the ballots were counted on 7 November. However he was declared as the winner the next day, after adding the advance votes which arrived later in the evening.

Sai Myint Maung, a lawyer by profession, was a co-founder of the Shan State Democratic Party (SSDP) in 1988. After the party failed to obtain approval by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), then the ruling military setup, he joined the NLD and was elected by the Lashio constituency.