The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), the party that emerged third in the 2010 elections, is fielding 4 candidates, 2 in Shan State, in the April Fool’s Day by-elections to fill up the seats vacated by MPs that had been appointed as union ministers.
One of them is Sai Sam Min, 53, a native of Lashio, who is running for the National Assembly seat left by Dr Sai Mawk Kham, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), who was elected as Vice President #2. He holds a bachelor degree in law (1992) but his profession is business.
A drugstore owned by him stands in the main market of Lashio, the capital of Shan State North. He says he is pretty much confident of winning the seat despite the fact that he is facing two formidable opponents:
- Dr Nang Keng Phawng Tip, USDP
- Sai Myint Maung, NLD
The other is Sao Tha Oo, 51, who is running for the vacant People’s Assembly seat in Kalaw, Shan State South. He comes from the former princely house of Loilong Panglawng. He had received B. Com (Eco) Q, D.A. from Rangoon in 1980. His profession: agriculture and tourism.
A former leading member of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), that had won the most seats in Shan State in the 1990 elections, he was detained and sentenced to 19 years in prison in 2005, together with his bosses: and Khun Tun Oo, 93 years; Sai Nyunt Lwin, 85 years.
A month after the court sentence, he was freed as a state witness, which has served as a blemish in his otherwise stainless life. However, he is claiming innocence. Friends also say his early release was a trick by the then military rulers to sow a seed of mistrust among SNLD members. “The upcoming by-elections will vindicate me,” he said.
SHAN is still waiting for data from Sai Myint Maung, 1990 elections winner.
SHAN will also gratefully accept bio-data, leaflets and comments from other candidates from Lashio and Kalaw constituencies.
