Two township level chairpersons  of the National League for Democracy in Kayah State have submitted their resignation letters, said Kayah State NLD Chairman Thaung Htay. 

Hpasawng Township NLD Chairman Sai Than Shwe put forward his resignation on July 25 as he wanted to retire. Meanwhile, Hpruso Township NLD Chairman Gyo Wa Ni submitted his resignation giving the reason for the party’s bias over the selection of parliamentary candidates for the upcoming general election, according to his Facebook post on July 28. 

“They submitted their resignation letters. We didn’t do the selection. It was done step-by-step. I assume they were not selected as they did not meet the criteria,” Thaung Htay said. 

Gyo Wa Ni said: “The central level rejected those selected by the people. I resigned as they want to win. The town elders selected five. But only one of them was selected (by the central level). If they want to win, they should listen to the people’s voice. It’s OK if they (the central level) want to do as they wish.” 

According to the list of tentatively selected candidates at state level, there were 61—33 first priority and 28 second priority. 

After the decision of NLD’s Central Executive Committee, only a few of those selected by the township level were on the final list. Moreover, those on the second priority list and those out of the list were selected as candidates. 

Kayah State NLD is due to run for election in all constituencies of the state. The state chief minister and three ministers have been re-selected as parliamentary candidates. The final list of 33 selected candidates include six women. 

The Union Election Commission has announced the 2020 general election will be held on November 8.