A National League for Democracy (NLD) candidate collapsed and died while campaigning today in Myinmu, Sagaing Division.

Soe Myint, 53, was the NLD’s regional assembly candidate.

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According to Myint Naing, the party’s Sagaing Division chairperson, Soe Myint passed out during a campaign rally near the town market. He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Fellow party member and candidate for the Lower House seat in Myinmu, Soe San Thet Htun, told DVB that that hospital’s autopsy revealed his heart was covered in visceral fat.

“We assume he died of heart disease – the autopsy at Myinmu Hospital found his heart was covered in visceral fat. He passed out as we were singing a campaign song,” he said.

Soe Myint’s body has been returned to his family home, where funeral preparations are underway.

“I am very saddened about his sudden passing – U Soe Myint was a comrade who worked hand in hand with us. We would like to urge everyone to work together to bring about the democracy that he longed for,” said Soe San Thet Htun.

Soe Myint was contesting the regional assembly seat in Myinmu Township constituency-1, competing against Thaung Myint of the incumbent Union Solidarity and Development Party and National Unity Party’s Kyaw Soe Oo.

Read more coverage of the 2015 election.