The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) central executive member U Aung Thein Lin told Mizzima, on 2 June, that two scrutinizing committees led by party chairman Thura U Shwe Mann will select electoral candidates for the upcoming election.
“Both of the two scrutinizing committees will be led by the chairman (Thura U Shwe Mann). Both of the committees have the duty. But I’m not a member of either group. I had to attend meetings,” said U Aung Thein Lin.
The USDP has prepared to contest 325 seats in the Lower House (Pyithu Hluttaw), 168 seats in the Upper House (Amyotha Hluttaw), and about 660 seats in State/Region (regional) parliament, and it will also contest for positions of ministers for ethnic affairs, according to the USDP central committee member U Tint Zaw.
“The central committee meeting gave the central executive committee the authority to select the candidates and its scrutinizing committees will select them. Now, party members who want to contest have to submit their application forms,” he said.
The two scrutinizing committees for selecting candidates are led by U Shwe Mann and the members of the two committees are from the 44-member USDP central executive committee. Moreover, Thura U Shwe Mann will lead the electoral campaign for the upcoming election this year.
The USDP’s meeting held from May 29 to June 1 mainly focused on the electoral campaign for the upcoming election and setting the 14 qualifications those USDP candidates should have, according to the USDP central committee members.
More than 3,000 USDP members have submitted application forms to become electoral candidates or backup candidates.