Ruling party chair vows fairness in 2015 election

Ruling party chair vows fairness in 2015 election

Published on Sunday, 26 January 2014 19:17

SAGAING—Thura Shwe Mann, chairperson of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, vowed in a meeting with Sagaing Township representatives and party members on Saturday (January 25) that the USDP will use "fair means" in its efforts to win the 2015 election.

"In the coming election, we will try to win by fair means. We have been doing so already. With this attitude, we are not being aggressive towards those members from other parties. There is no need to be, either. If we fight each other, ugly events in history will be repeated and the people will suffer," said Thura Shwe Mann, who is also the Parliament Speaker.

"Fighting among the parties can destroy national unity. Political parties are formed by citizens of the country. They are not enemies. Such an attitude, to regard them as enemies and to eliminate them, doesn't lead to national reconciliation. It can damage national solidarity. If this happens, Myanmar will never develop."

Shwe Mann said that unity is necessary for the good of the people, so the parties should thus regard each other as colleagues—not enemies.

"If two parties try to eliminate each other, only one will be left. Then, where will our desired multi-party system be? Multi-party democracy will die out. We must beware of it. Once a party is set up, everyone wants to win. It is important to use fair means in trying to win," he said.

"Several maxims on national unity and reconciliation have been laid down. They shouldn't be just on paper, nor should they disappear into thin air. Until now, unity among ethnic peoples hasn't been achieved. In our time, we'll have to make it happen. Likewise, national reconciliation hasn't been achieved."

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/ruling-party-chair-vows-fairness-in-2015-election/