MYAWADDY-------After United Democratic Party (UDP) had been removed from the list of registered political parties, about 30,000 UDP members from Myawaddy Township, Kayin State,had joined up with the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), according to sources.

“There are about 30,000 UDP members in Myawaddy Township. After our party was been disbanded, we searched for a party for the nation. At that time, we found only USDP which can lead us towards a new nation. That’s why all UDP members except 20 will be joining hands with the USDP. The UDP has good policies to develop the nation. We are going to support the USDP with the aim to develop not only Kayin State but also across the nation,” said UDP’s candidate Soe Ya.

The members of UDP from Myawaddy Township, Kayin State, informed the public on October 20th that they officially joined up  with the USDP.

Later, they launched canvassing campaign in Myawaddy Township by wearing USDP’s T-shirts and hoisting USDP’s flags at their vehicles.

On October 17th, the Union Election Commission (UEC) dissolved the UDP for breaching the political party registration law, as the party’s leader was found to have financially supported the party with money illegally transferred from China, a violation of Article 6(f) of the law.

Now, the party’s founder Michael Kyaw Myint is under police detention on a fugitive warrant for his escape from a prison in 1999.

Moreover, the UEC announced that all the 1143 candidates of the UDP were no longer allowed to continue contesting parliamentary seats for the upcoming general election-2020.

In Myawaddy Township, Kayin State, Karen National Democratic Party-KNDP, ruling National League for Democracy-NLD, Union Solidarity and Development Party, People’s Pioneer Party-PPP, Union Betterment Party, the National Unity Party, National Democratic Force and independent candidates will be contesting in general election for the parliamentary seats.