Activists condemn ministers' dove posters
Two union ministers, who are using the symbol of peace, the dove, in their election campaigns in Kayah State, have been criticised by activists.
Aung Min and Soe Thien have been distributing leaflets, hats, umbrellas and medicines printed with a dove carrying an olive branch.
Aung Min is running for an Upper House seat in Shadaw where there are fewer than 4,000 voters and Soe Thein is competing for the Upper House in Bawlakhe which has around 6,270 voters.
Kayw Htin Aung of the Union of Karenni State Youth central committee said: “They are using the peace symbol for personal use. The Union Election Commission allowed them to use it but it should not have happened. Those involved in the nationwide ceasefire agreement are taking advantage by using the symbol.”
A member of Kayah National Race Democracy Party from Shadaw said: “The clinic in Shadaw opened by Aung Min’s son uses not only the dove but also the country map. We didn’t know it was a dove and we thought it was a pigeon.”
Some voters intend to use colours to distinguish between the candidates with the ministers using blue.
According to a Bawlakhe resident, Soe Thein uses blue, the president’s photo and mythical Kayah symbols while highlighting his commitment to peace, his desire to build a federal union and promises of better roads, bridges and electricity links.
