The Burmese junta’s Military Affairs Security (MAS) authorities in Lashio, capital of Shan State North, has ordered local authorities to collect lists of members of political parties in town that contested the 1990 elections,...
The Burmese junta’s Military Affairs Security (MAS) authorities in Lashio, capital of Shan State North, has ordered local authorities to collect lists of members of political parties in town that contested the 1990 elections, according to reliable town sources.
The order was passed on December 21. The lists are to have details such as how many members remain in each party and what those remaining members are doing including their personal information, a source said.
In Lashio, there are about seven former political parties such as the National League for Democracy (NLD), Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), Shan State Kokang Democratic Party (SSKDP), Wa National Development Party (WNDP) and National Unity Party (NUP).
It is not known why the lists have been sought. However, local people said that it could be connected to the elections.
The junta authorities are yet to announce the electoral law.
“Many thought it would be announced early in the coming year,” the source said.
Nevertheless, the junta-backed Union Solitary and Development Association (USDA) has already been told to be ready to transform into a political party before 2010, during the 16th anniversary of the founding of the USDA, which was held on 27 November at Naypyitaw, according to a USDA member in Lashio.
“The name USDA will no longer be used after it is reformed as a political party. But they are yet to choose the party’s name,” he said.
Senior Gen Than Shwe was quoted in the junta run media as saying that as the USDA was founded 16 years ago and it has enough experience to handle any kind of undertaking.
In addition, USDA General Secretary Major Gen Htay Oo was quoted as saying, “We should not see the NLD as our enemy, but recognize it as our opposition partner. If we continue to harrass her, people would take more pity on her. Then our aim ‘to build National Solidarity will not come out as expected.”
The USDA was established in 1993 by Senior General Than Shwe to control protesters in the country. Its head office is being built in Dakkhinathira quarter in Naypyitaw and will be the second largest building after the House of Legislature.
