The ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) said on Sunday that it would announce its list of candidates for the upcoming general election within two weeks.
Thein Swe, secretary of the USDP’s central committee on 31 May said retired military officials may be among candidates appointed to run in the 2015 election.
“There are likely to be [retired] military officials among the candidates who we choose to stand for election. At the moment, our MPs are discussing matters relating to election campaigns and appointing candidates,” said Thein Swe, speaking during a press conference on the last day of a committee meeting.
[related]
In the three-day meeting that took place from 29 to 31 May, the central committee oversaw the formation of an election campaign committee led by the party’s chairman and current parliament Speaker Shwe Mann, giving him full authority over all election related issues.
DVB reported in May that Burma’s army chief, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was slated to step down within two months and enter the country’s political scene, according to informed sources. The current second in charge, Vice Snr-Gen Soe Win is said to replace him within weeks of his stepping down, according to sources close to the general.