Junta Registers Political Party to Contest Election
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Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Burma

Junta Registers Political Party to Contest Election

By WAI MOE Friday, April 30, 2010
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Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein and other key members of the ruling junta have registered a political party to contest the upcoming general election.

State-run media reported on Thursday evening that Thein Sein and 26 other leaders had registered the party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), at the Union Election Commission earlier that day. The 26 other party leaders were not identified but are known to be current ministers and deputy ministers.

Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein (Photo: Reuters)
The registration of the USDP is the junta's first active entry into Burmese politics in two decades.

The new party's title appears to be derived from the name of the junta’s mass organization, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA).

Thein Sein, junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe, and other key regime members such as Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, Gen Shwe Mann and Gen Tin Aung Myint Oo are members of the USDA Central Panel of Patrons. A further 25 ministers, deputy ministers and mayors are members of the USDA central executive committee and secretariat.

“USDA leaders except four patrons seem to have transformed the mass organization into a political party,” said a USDA source in Rangoon, speaking on condition of anonymity. The USDA claims it has more than 24 million members across the country.

It is not clear whether Thein Sein and the 26 leaders of the new party will resign their current government positions.

If they fail to do so, they will transgress a key election law, Article 4 of the Political Party Registration Law, which bars any government staff from political party leadership.

State-run newspapers on Friday still described Thein Sein as prime minister and carried no news about possible resignations.

Political observers in Rangoon say they expect important news in coming days about new government appointments.

Friday's state-run newspapers reported that Thein Sein and Rangoon Mayor Aung Thein Lin attended the opening on Thursday of a cement factory in Thazi, near Mandalay, along with another key USDA leader Aung Thaung, the minister of Industry 1.

On Monday, Burma's war office ordered the retirement of Thein Sein and Aung Thein Lin from their military positions, along with 20 other senior officials.

Commenting on Friday on the registration of the USDP, Win Tin, a veteran leader of the opposition National League for Democracy, told The Irrawaddy the move represents an attempt by the junta to prolong its rule.

“Some said the election shows the military junta is preparing to withdraw from politics systematically, but what I see is that the generals are systematically trying to keep power with legitimacy,” Win Tin said. “Prime Minster Thein Sein’s formation of a new party is a good example.”

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Dr.Myo.THI-HA Wrote:
05/05/2010
My personal point of view and advice to the Junta is:

For the upcoming election in 2010, the military junta should select candidates from the 2nd liners (young Brig. Generals between 40-45 yrs old) instead of " mauvais chats" (old cats who are currently participating in the USDP)

They are just promoting those positions and are not really corrupted.


This is also the same situation the NLD is facing.

"NO OLD MAN FOR COUNTRY. FOREVER YOUNG FOR DEMOCRACY"

Tide Wrote:
04/05/2010
NLD can't even save herself, how can it save the nation?

Cut the crap - Kyaw! Wake up

Salai Turing Wrote:
01/05/2010
All the Burmese military officers steal or laundered government money or they robbed the public. Therefore, their salaries and the wealth are imbalanced. It shows that all the military officers are thieves and robber. These kinds of people must be barred from running for election. Thein Sein and his fellow crooks must submit details of their income and their assets first to be audited. Or they better stay away from politics.

Myanmar Patriot 4 UMPF Wrote:
01/05/2010
'Who are we Burmese to rely on? We do not want to be enslaved by the USDP for for ever.' Kyaw wrote.
WELL WELL WELL, the answer is:'rely on our claimant to the throne of Burma Shwebomin II.' Cast aside your jealousies, recognise who has been totally faithful to all the people of Burma, who has made real personal sacrifices for the sake of Myanmars, who is most educated and experienced not only in affairs of state but also in science and technology, business, finance and banking, diplomacy and communication.
The Burmese hearts are beating for the return of Shwebomin II. History is beckoning. Forget the ideology of western democracy.Burmese monarchy was a form of democracy, for people accepted real blood lineage and concensus under aegis of the monarch.When people and the military are loyal to the monarch,then, the military can obey the elected representatives provided that they are not treasonous and invite aliens to attack the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Burma.

PB publico Wrote:
01/05/2010
The only way NLD and DASSK can help us the people is non-cooperation with the junta. ration. Because any copperation with them would not help; it would only be tentamount to helping the junta to make their job of oppression and un-democratic administration easier.
So, passive resistance is the answer. But the resistance must be active and counter to the rule of lawlessness. The people must have confidence and a firm faith the process of passive resistance that is now in practice.
Let us assist the lady and NLD with our full confidence and intelligent support.

George Than Setkyar Heine Wrote:
01/05/2010
“Some said the election shows the military junta is preparing to withdraw from politics systematically, but what I see is that the generals are systematically trying to keep power with legitimacy,” Win Tin said. “Prime Minster Thein Sein’s formation of a new party is a good example.” Truly said as well.
There is no secret about it.
They are simply going after their ULTIMATE QUEST for LEGITIMACY like Ne Win did in his days. Even they could be wearing GREEN while in office like today unlike Ne Win discarding his.
Damn on Thu Wai and others who believe military would quit politics on the long run!
Military would stay in politics and administrative mechanisms of Burma as long as the country's natural and other resources last lest ye people forget.
And China and Russia would protect the military rulers as long as Hu Jintao and his ilk run China and hold sway in the world no doubt.
NLD has declared war and the fight for freedom and democracy would COMPOUND and CONTINUE as well believe me.

Ngal Hriang Wrote:
01/05/2010
They already cheat. They will never stop this kind of behavior because they have lived there for too long. Lawlessness is what they can do best. Sham on them.

Wei Wrote:
01/05/2010
To Kyaw,

Burmese ppl must rely on themselves. Do not vote and boycott the elections.

PB Publico Wrote:
30/04/2010
Oh yes, here it goes.
There are no political prisoners in Burma.
There are no laws, including the election laws they themselves promulgated quite forceably, that they cannot breach, regardless.
Believe me they will make their rule legitimate equally forceable, using guns if necessary.
I, for one, only hope that our people are wiser now and know how not to be trapped in any bloodbath. Just keep away from them as far away as you can - you see a human skull stuck in between two crossed bones.

Zam Mang Wrote:
30/04/2010
Hold on! Not just Thein Sein. All of them who join the USDA Party need to resign. Their behavior is already deceitful and we all need to keep our eyes on them whether they are cheating and stealing the votes. If they do compete with the same rule, it will be OK.

NLD needs to come in because we will vote again for NLD whether Suu Kyi is allowed to participate or not. We are ready to show SPDC that we are still lovers of democracy, not a fake one.

aparhongmon Wrote:
30/04/2010
Answer to Burmese military government's future lies in its past as his counterpart china.Burmese leader's power and influence are growing in torturing the innocent people.Now what's role Thein Sein will play?Their resignation systematically is not very frankly for Burmese ethnic people.Sure they are wants to catch two fish at the same time.

A.M.O Wrote:
30/04/2010
It is a big shame for Sr Gen Than Shwe and all other army generals; and the only fitting word to call them ( Gen Than Shwe & all army generals to be fielded in the up coming pools) as:

- MEGALOMANIACS

Kyaw Wrote:
30/04/2010
Please NLD, save the Nation from the domination ofthe USDP. We are sure that the NLD can at least win significant numbers of seats, if not more seats than the USDP.
Who are we Burmese to rely on? We do not want to be enslaved by the USDP for for ever. We want to see all leaders in the jails freed. With the USDP, they will let all rot in jails.
DASSK, please help. By participating in coming election, you still can open your mouth for those victims.

Dr.Myo.THI-HA Wrote:
30/04/2010
To USDP/USDA:
Before enter the election, declare your personal (such as your saving accounts overseas: Singapore, Swiss, family business etc..),finance and properties to be examined for CORRUPTION, according to your election laws.
Rumours spread, largely in Rangoon, that Minister Aung Thaung is the most corrupted Minister among those others.

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