Myanmar’s ruling party nominates 1,147 candidates to run in general election

NAY PYI TAW, Aug. 13  (NsNewsWire) — Myanmar’s ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has nominated 1,147 candidates nationwide to contest the upcoming general election slated for Nov. 8, Party General Secretary U Maung Maung Thein told a meeting welcoming the candidates here on Wednesday.

Of the candidates, 320 will compete for House of Representatives (Lower House), 166 for House of Nationalities (Upper House), 632 for Region or State Parliament and 29 for Region or State Parliament of National Races, reports Xinhua.

Party Chairman U Shwe Mann, also speaker of the parliament, will compete in Phyu township constituency for House of Representatives while Vice President Sai Mauk Kham will compete in Lashio, Shan state-North constituency for House of Representatives.

The USDP candidates also include 26 former military officials, among whom are General Hla Htay Win and Lieutenant-General Wai Lwin who will contest seats of House of Nationalities and House of Representatives respectively.

According to the disclosure, the candidates also comprise 16 current government ministers, 22 deputy ministers, 36 party central executive committee members.

However, the USDP denied to contest seats in 32 constituencies of national races such as Panhsang, Mongpong and Mongla.

Addressing the welcoming event, U Shwe Mann called on party members to abide by law and contest in a clean and transparent manner. He also predicted that the USDP will overwhelmingly win the election,

Myanmar’s Union Election Commission has designated 1,179 constituencies across the country for vote at four levels of parliament representatives.

According to the commission, 4,224 candidates from 80 political parties out of 90, including 162 individuals, have so far registered to run in the election.

The 4,224 candidates include 1,191 for the House of Representatives, 627 for the House of Nationalities, 2,278 for the Region or State Parliament and 128 for the Region or State Parliament of National Races.

The 2015 general election is to produce representatives to the next term of parliament which will then form a government of new term in early 2016.