Jul 10, 2008 (DVB), A New Mon State Party spokesperson said the party's central committee had not yet decided whether to transform into a political group to contest the 2010 elections.

Nai Aung Ma Ngae of the NMSP said the party had not yet been approached by the military regime about participating in the 2010 election.

"We still have not yet received any pressure from the government about disarming and transforming our group into a political organisation to participate in the upcoming elections in 2010," he said.

"We withdrew from the National Convention and we also spoke out against the constitution and the referendum."

Nai Aung Ma Ngae said the NMSP had not yet made any plans to participate in the election.

"We first need to know our central committee’s decision before we transform into a political group and participate in the elections, as it is going to be a big change in our country’s politics," he said.

"But so far we have not heard anything from the government and besides there is no law approved by the government on forming political organisations. So we have not made any plans yet."

Reporting by Htet Aung Kyaw