The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) held the party’s inaugural ceremony today after final approval by the Union Elections Commission (UEC), both at its headquarters in South Okkalapa Township in Yangon Division and its branch office in Shan State North’s Kyaukme Township, according to the party Chairman, Sai Ai Pao.
The party’s final approval to contest the forthcoming elections was given on 26 May by the UEC in accordance with Article 9 of the Political Parties Registration Law, according to the New Light of Myanmar report.
So far, 29 out of 42 parties that submitted applications for registration as political parties have been granted permission to register and the remaining parties are under scrutiny. The registration number of the SNDP is (15).
“We flew our flag and put up our signboard at 08:44 (Burma Standard Time),” said Sai Ai Pao. The background colour of the party flag is red and green. There is a white moon in the middle. The party’s logo is a white tiger.
Many members from other parties were also present at the ceremony.
The SNDP will start its election campaign very soon, but it has yet to fix a date, said Sai Ai Pao.
According to the Political Parties Registration Law, any party contesting the parliamentary seats in the Union, shall enlist at least 1,000 members to the Commission within 90 days from the day it is granted permission for registration as a political party. On the other hand, if it is a party contesting for seats in only one region / state, it shall enlist at least 500 members within 90 days.
If a political party is unable to submit the prescribed number of party members to the Commission, its registration shall be cancelled and that party will be abolished.
The SNDP plans to contest in 40 out of 55 townships in Shan State, six townships in Kachin State (Mansi, Bhamo, Monggawng [Mogaung], Mongyang [Mohnyin], Wiangmai [Waing Maw] and Namti), three townships in Karenni State (Loikaw, Dimawso and Phasawng), two in Sagaing Division (Hommalin and Mawlake [Maw Lite] as well as Rangoon and Mandalay divisions where a sizable number of Shans live. In Burma, Shan has the second largest population after the Burman.
“We will keep opening our office in every one of those states and regions and will campaign at the same time,” said Sai Ai Pao.
The UEC has reportedly sent its members to conduct the electoral process in every state and division since May, according to sources close to the junta officials in Rangoon.
In mid May, over 40 members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) in Shan State North’s Kokang were summoned to Lashio for the electoral course, said a local resident in Kokang.
The members learnt about lectures on laws, rules and work guidance of the Commission, making ballot lists, setting up polling booths and formation of ward and village-tract sub-commissions.
“They returned on 27 May,” he said.
On 2 June, members the UEC Dr. Sai Kham Hlaing, accompanied by members of Shan State election sub-commission U Sai Tun Mya and Secretary U Thein Htay Win, met members of Langkhurh township sub-commission, Shan State South, according to the New Light of Myanmar.
It said, the UEC gave a lecture on vote casting and gave necessary instructions.
According to reports from the border, in Shan State East’s Pongpakhem sub-township of Mongton Township, opposite Chiangmai, alone will have 23 polling booths. Security service for each polling station will be three tiered: the first by the Elections Commission and Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC), the second by the police, Red Cross and fire brigades and the last by militia units and the Burmese Army.
