Wider World by CS

Democracy and Peace Party calls for abolition of ruling-USDP

Saturday, 22 October 2011 18:46 Nyi Thit

     
Rangoon (Mizzima) - The Democracy and Peace Party (DPP) has called on the Election Commission to close down the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) over alleged election violations.
   
Myo Nyunt, general secretary of the Democracy and Peace Party told reporters at a press conference in Rangoon on October 17 that his party had submitted a complaint to the Election Commission claiming the USDP violated party registration clauses in the 2010 Election Law by misusing state-owned money. 

"There is evidence and reasons why the ruling USDP party should not have been allowed to be registered in the first place and also should be abolished, even after it participated in the November election," he said, adding the complaint was submitted on October 14.

"They (USDP) violated the clause 12 under Chapter 3 of the Election Law which prevents organizations not directly or indirectly obtaining and utlilizing state owned money, land, housing, buildings and vehicles. The USDP was transformed from the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) into a political party and state's money involving millions was used in the transformation from the USDA into the party," Myo Nyunt said.

"We have not seen any public clearance and explanation on this (by the USDP). In the past, there was a public statement and clearing of this issue when the former Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) was transformed into the National Unity Party (NUP)," he noted. The NUP succeeded General Ne Win's Burma Socialist Programme Party to take part in the 1990 election. 

So far there has been no reply from the Election Commission to the complaint.

The DPP claimed the 2010 November elections were not entirely free and fair.

It, however, says that it will actively cooperate with the President Thein Sein government on common issues and would engage in consultations if it does not agree with the government. The party says that it welcomes the recent developments such as the meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein, holding forums and workshops to develop economic policy changes, and the release of some political prisoners.

The DPP, led by Aung Than, did not win any seats for its 19 candidates in the 2010 election.

The USDP, led by former generals, won a landslide victory in the election.