NLD headquarters denies sending list of CC nominees

Friday, 12 February 2010 21:13 Myint Maung

New Delhi (Mizzima) - In a complete denial the Central Executive Committee (CEC) members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) said that they had not sent instructions on Central Committee (CC) nominees to be selected and prepared by States and Divisional branches.

The Pegu Division NLD Organizing Committee selected seven persons to be nominated as CC members on February 9 in keeping with the list believed to have been sent by the party headquarters. It created a ruckus among divisional organizing committee members following which the spokesmen at the party headquarters denied sending nomination lists.

"The party headquarters has no such principles and there was no need to send instructions. The grassroots level must select their nominees. If the party leadership has a list at all, it will check with the list sent. It is out of the question to show this list to them even if the party headquarters has such list," party CEC member Win Tin told Mizzima.

Another CEC member Khin Maung Swe said, "We don't make nominations by name. They are free to select without instructions on who to select. The problem in Pegu Division has not been communicated to us. But we have heard of the dispute. There is a misunderstanding regarding nominations".

Though Pegu Division can select seven persons as nominees for the CC, the divisional organizing committee Chairman Nyunt Wei nominated five persons said to be selected by the party headquarters and three others of his own choice without the consent of those attending the CC nomination selection meeting, Pegu Division, Taungoo constituency MP Aung Soe Myint said.

The nominees said to be selected by the party headquarters are Dr. Khin Maung Win and Hla Kyaw from Prome District, Daw Hla Hla Moe (Tharyarwaddy), Kyaw Thein and retired professor Tun Kywe from Pegu District. Five other divisional organizing committee members moved a motion to select nominees of their choice of two persons as nominees for Taungoo District but the Pegu Divisional organizing committee Chairman Nyunt Wei rejected it it is learnt.

"When participants asked whether they can nominate the remaining two nominees, the divisional chairman gave his consent. Then five divisional organizing committee members proposed Taungoo MP Aung Soe Myint and Taungoo chairman Maung Maung Soe as nominees for the CC. The Pegu Division Chairman Nyunt Wei rejected it," MP Aung Soe Myint alleged.

The central leadership will not consider the nomination list if it is not selected in keeping the principles laid down, Khin Maung Swe said.

"If what we heard is true, it cannot be in accordance with democratic principles and those laid down by the party. We give grassroots full authority to select their nominees. If it is not done with free will and consent it will be nullified," he added.

The divisional chairman Nyunt Wei was not available when contacted over telephone for details of the dispute.

The NLD Chairman Aung Shwe sent a party circular to all States and Divisions Organizing Committee Chairmen on January 27 for nominations to the CC from each state and division on a five-point criteria.

The criteria was capability for consolidating the party and implementing future plans efficiently, loyalty to the party, to stay with the party, adhere to the current party policies and principles, and select those against whom disciplinary action was never taken.

In keeping with the directive, Kachin, Karen, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Tanintharyi states and divisions and party women’s wing were to select not more than five nominees each. Sagaing, Pegu, Magwe, Mandalay, Rangoon, Irrawaddy, Shan states and divisions were to select seven nominees each.

Those selected by states and divisions are just nominees for CC. And all Chairmen and Secretaries of the State and Division organizing committees need to come to the party headquarter not later than February 16-17 along with nomination lists for discussions, the party instruction said.

The CEC has the right to modify lists prepared and brought by reducing, adding, altering, inserting and inclusion of the names of their choice. It will also scrutinize the nomination lists and finalize the new CC.

The CEC itself was enlarged with nine new members adding to the existing 11 on January 14. The current strength of the CEC is 20 members.

The CC was first formed with representatives sent by state and division branches in 1990 and had 80 members. But many of them were arrested by authorities in 1997 and it was near defunct.

It is learnt that the new CC will be constituted with a minimum 90 and maximum of 120 members. The final CC list is likely to be announced at the end of this month, CEC members said.

(Edited by Ye Yint Aung)