USDP Loses in Election Survey

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USDPThe military regime-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has lost in a recent pre-election survey conducted in Shan State and Rangoon Division, according to an official from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA).

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on condition of anonymity, the MOHA official said that the survey was conducted in secret, but did not elaborate on how it was carried out nor how many people were questioned.

“In Shan State, voters said they will cast ballots for their ethnic-based political parties,” he said. “In Rangoon, however, most voters will abstain.”

He said the pre-election survey result has worried military regime leaders who may consequently apply various means to ensure an election victory on Nov. 7.

Led by incumbent Prime Minister Thein Sein, the USDP has claimed that it has about 16 million members. Observers speculate that the USDP will contest the election in all constituencies across the country.

A journal in Burma this week quoted Thu Wai, the chairman of the Democratic Party (Myanmar), as saying that the USDP can and will easily win more than 500 seats in the coming election since the remaining parties can contest no more than about 500 out of more than 1,000 constituencies for all parliaments.

On June 1, the USDP registered at the Union Election Commission (EC) to compete in the election; the EC approved it on June 8. A total of 47 political parties registered for the election; to date, the EC has approved 42 parties.