The Burmese military junta backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has reportedly criticized the Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP) led by Sai Ai Pao alleging it is getting support from some illegal armed groups, according to local villagers in Shan State North.

Naw Kham Oo (52) Chairman of Shan State North’s Lashio branch USDP and a former secretary of the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) of Kyaukme Township, told residents in E Nai village, seven miles west of Lashio, during his campaign on August 23 to 24 that their lives will be safer if they cast votes for the USDP rather than the SNDP, said a 42 year-old farmer from the village.

“Naw Kham Oo said if we vote for their party, our lives will be safe. If we vote for SNDP, we will be in danger because it is supported by outlawed armed groups,” the farmer told SHAN.

Another 30-year old businesswoman, from the same village agreed with the farmer and added that Naw Kham Oo additionally claimed that SNDP is not a party representing all the people from Shan State, as it is only interested in the Shan nationality, not non-Shans.

According to her, there are about 500 households in the village and it has several different ethnic nationalities such as Lisu, Palaung, ethnic Chinese and Shan.

“Naw Kham said only the USDP represents all ethnic nationalities because its members are from different ethnic states. Moreover, many of their members are also ethnic people,” she quoted Naw Kham as saying.

The USDP is said to have a membership of 20 million people from across the country.

Regarding the USDP’s criticism, an SNDP member in Lashio said the party headquarters tried to lodge a complaint with the Union Election Commission, but it was suggested by the UEC that if the party has no compelling evidences such as documents, tapes, places, dates and names then the UEC will not take this into consideration.

“We were often informed by members from several townships that our party was being accused as an unclean party. But we could not appeal as we lack proof,” the member told SHAN.  “Nevertheless, we have always reminded all our members to obey the Electoral Law. That is the important principle for us to uphold. However, we are also worried that we will continue to be fair game for the USDP.”

This is only one of the latest reports on the junta authorities’ attempts to destroy rival parties. The first came in late July, when members of the party in Kachin State were subjected to interrogations by local police and military officials.

The Shan State Army ‘South’ has declared that it opposes the elections and will not recognize the results.