Myanmar - USDP makes counter charges in alleged election violations

The Burmese government’s ruling political party says it will file counter complaints against the National League for Democracy (NLD), which has accused it of violating election laws.

Aung Thein Lin, the Rangoon Region head of the United Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), said in a press conference in Rangoon on Friday it will file complaints against the NLD that it violated election laws in various townships in Rangoon Region during the campaign and the April 1 by-election.

“The [township] election commissions have the duty to investigate to know whether the allegations are correct or false,” Aung Thein Lin said.

He said the USDP has launched complaints against two cases of alleged violations in Kawhmu Township, one case in Mingalar Taung Myunt Township and 120 cases in Dagon Seikkan Township, and in three other townships in Rangoon Region that it failed to name. No details of the alleged violations were given.

Commenting on the allegations that wax was applied on some NLD ballots to prevent voters from making a mark choosing the NLD, Aung Thein Lin said that there were no similar cases in the 2010 general elections, and he wants the election commission to investigate the charges.

“People said we were angry after suffering a defeat. Because of those words, we felt hurt twice,” said Aung Thein Lin.

Earlier, USDP candidate Dr. Soe Min, who was defeated by Aung San Suu Kyi in Kawhmu Township, said in a press conference that although Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD officials told its members to control their celebrations and excitement in order not to make other people or organizations upset, many NLD members failed to follow her instructions.

“They waved ‘Fighting-peacock flags’ [NLD flags] in front of our headquarters. That means they were challenging us. At that time, if one of our members was not able to tolerate their behavior and attacked some of them, who would be blamed?” said Dr. Soe Min.

Aung Thein Lin said the behavior of many NLD members in various townships upset USDP members. 

The USDP would review the strength and weaknesses of its by-election campaign, he said, and continue its work in areas such as paving roads, improving water-distribution, health care, education, social work and economic programs.

Only local reporters were invited to attend the press conference at the Rangoon Region USDP headquarters.

Lynn Bo Bo

mizzima.com

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