Wednesday, November 23, 2011

NLD to register as Burmese political party on Friday

0 comments
 
Wednesday, 23 November 2011 20:24 Phanida

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), will go to Naypyitaw to register the NLD as a political party on Friday.

The move lays the groundwork for the NLD to select candidates to run in the upcoming by-election, which has 48 open seats.

Party leader Nyan Win told Mizzima that Suu Kyi will contest in a constituency in the by-election, but the constituency has not been identified. He said the by-elections would probably be held in January 2012.

Nyan Win said that qualified, experienced older members, women, young members and ethnic members would be given priority to be chosen as NLD candidates.

NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi will contest for a seat in Parliament. Photo: Mizzima

According to the party registration law, a party needs to submit a list of at least 15 people who want to organize a political party. The names will include NLD General-Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, Vice Chairman Tin Oo, central executive committee member Win Tin, and women and ethnic members.

Meanwhile, presidential advisor Dr. Nay Zin Latt has said that he believes the Union Election Commission (UEC) has not fixed a date for by-elections because it’s waiting for the NLD to register. He said that after the UEC approves the NLD as a party, it needs to give parties 60 days to prepare for by-elections.

After the UEC approves the NLD, its leaders will negotiate with other like-minded parties in order to avoid overlapping candidates to compete with the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, Nyan Win said.

On Wednesday, NLD members from states and regions and central executive committee members held a two-hour meeting to discuss campaign strategy, said NLD information officer Ohn Kyaing.

There are a total of 48 vacant constituencies in the by-elections; 40 seats in the Lower House, six in the Upper House and two in state and region assemblies.

Leave a Reply