The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) held a ceremony for new party members in Thanlyin Township of Yangon Region on Aug. 2.
A source told DVB that USDP Chairperson Khin Yi invited at least 10 journalists, who were given 100,000 MMK ($22 USD) each for attending the meeting and a previous one held in Yangon with pro-military “celebrities” on July 31.
“He invited pro-military online celebrities and journalists, who don’t understand politics or the economy. One of them was the wife of a deceased general,” the source told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
Khin Yi reportedly discussed the political crisis in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup, the history of the USDP, and the success it is likely to have in the upcoming general elections, which are scheduled to begin in December.
He also spoke out against the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, which he accused of electoral fraud in the 2020 elections despite presenting no evidence to support his claims. Khin Yi also mentioned that he would like to see a “civilian president.”
The USDP was established during a previous military regime known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). It was registered with the Union Election Commission (UEC) on June 2, 2010. The party claims to have over one million members nationwide.
The UEC reports that it has over 450,000 registered members. It allows parties to register if they have 50,000 members, and offices in at least one-third of all 330 townships in the country.
The USDP claims it has offices in 170 out of 330 townships. The USDP is one of 10 parties registered with the UEC to contest polls nationwide in 267 out of 330 townships, where polls are set to begin in December.
