The Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) will have 88 retired military officers and 14 former ministers run for the 2020 general election, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) spokesperson Dr Nandar Hla Myint told a press conference held at the party headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw on August 18. 

“They haven’t just retired from the military to stand for election. They have retired since 2010 or 2015. They have been chosen as parliamentary candidates  by local people and. The 14 others who served as ministers under President Thein Sein’s government will also compete. They will share their experiences with the younger generation of our party and serve the national interest,” he said. 

A total of 1,129 candidates from USDP will be competing in the coming election scheduled on November 8 this year. But, they will contest only 27 constituencies as coordination has been sought with ethnic parties. 

Of all the USDA candidates, 495 are those who competed in the 2010 and 2015 elections, 99 are aged between 25 and 40, 662 are aged between 41 and 60 and 368 are aged above 61. 

“Concerning their educational qualifications, there are 60 medical doctors and PhD degree holders and 827 master’s and bachelor’s degree holders,” said Dr Nandar Hla Myint. 

He added that his party did not choose the candidates through centralization but chose the ones capable of knowing and serving their own regions. 

He said there were some corrupt officials under the both governments of USDP and National League for Democracy. If his party can form a government after the next election, corruption will be unacceptable at all and severe action will be taken, he commented.