Senior SNLD Leaders to Forgo Shot at Parliament

Senior SNLD Leaders to Forgo Shot at Parliament
By YEN SNAING / THE IRRAWADDY

RANGOON — A handful of senior leaders from one of Burma’s strongest ethnic political parties, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), will not contest in the country’s upcoming general election, saying their abstentions will allow them to advance their political agenda outside the walls of Parliament.

Party chairman Khun Htun Oo, vice chairman Sai Saw Aung, secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin, joint-secretary Sai Leik and party coordinator Sai Agga are all opting out of the poll due Nov. 8, according to Sai Leik, who also serves as party spokesman.

“We need to have our people in Parliament, while we also need to politick outside Parliament, [for instance] if a political dialogue happens in 2016. Additionally, constitutional amendments in the Parliament are also unlikely to happen,” he told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday, while adding that the party was not abandoning the legislative arena.

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