A ‘Third Force’ political party competing in the upcoming elections has called on the government’s Election Commission (EC) to stop handing their members’ lists, previously submitted as part of political party registration process, to the military intelligence.

Thu Wei, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) said the party had sent a letter addressed to the EC in the capital Naypyidaw calling on it to stop passing political party members’ details to local intelligence officials who showed up at their houses ‘to collect more details’, making them weary of harassment.

“We learned that the EC had passed the members’ lists to the military intelligence. The intelligence officials have been showing up at their houses and asking for more personal details and photos,” said Thu Wei.

“Frankly, people don’t want to have anything to do with the intelligence believing that it will only bring them trouble.”

He said some of the DP’s members had quit the party in fear of harassment after they received visits by intelligence officials.

Nay Myo Wei, secretary of Diversity and Peace Party said: “There is only one option – if a party member quits because he or she is scared, then replace that person with a new member. This scenario is likely to repeat itself.”

Htun Aung Kyaw, chairman of New Era People’s Party, who had previously submitted its members list to the EC said the parties need to sit down and talk with the EC to find a solution to the situation.