NLD seeks UEC's attention
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The National League for Democracy (NLD) is pressing for a meeting with Union Election Commission (UEC) chairman Tin Aye, following the distribution of leaflets and speeches that defame the party.
"The UEC admitted that the leaflets were distributed by Ma Ba Tha (the organisation for protecting race and religion). But our point is Ma Ba Tha published the leaflets but they were distributed by members of the Union Solidarity and Development Party. We have evidence and we have filed the complaints, but there has been no response. This is why we need to meet the chairman," said Win Htein, an NLD member.
According to NLD, in some donation ceremonies recently held in Ayeyawady and Taninthayi regions, pamphlets were distributed urging local residents not to vote for the NLD because they opposed a newly-enacted race and religion protection law.
On September 26, a fake statement designed to mislead voters about the NLD and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi was read during a religious sermon at a celebration for the enactment of the race and religion protection laws organised by Ma Ba Tha in North Oakkalapa Township, Yangon.
The fake statement is titled ‘NLD chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi greets Muslim people’. NLD central executive committee member Nyan Win said the NLD did not release such a statement. He said the fake statement was created to harm the NLD’s chances of victory in the coming election.
During the event, the monk told the public: “I feel bad to read this because it contains names. However, I’ll read it for the sake of your knowledge. Shall I? I want to read it so much.”
The fake statement says the NLD guarantees religious freedom to Muslim people, freedom to build mosques and freedom to immigrate in Myanmar and receive full protection as a citizen. It also says the NLD will collaborate with international organisations to open an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Myanmar. Finally, the fraudulent statement urges voters to support the NLD in implementing the aforementioned platforms.
The monk said: “That is all; no extra word was read. Is it clear? The 2015 election is coming up. It is important to shape the result according to our desires. The interfaith marriage law was successfully imposed because we have unity. Therefore, it is important to vote for MPs and leaders who will be faithful to the [Buddhist] religion and nationality.”
Win Htein said: “It is the wrong information and a lie that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi sent a letter on Eid al-Adha. The monk is politically motivated, and this is not a monk’s business. The NLD has policy not to take advantage of religion or religious matters.”
CD recordings of the event, titled ‘Victory with unity’, have been distributed around Yangon.
