Juri Chai – A campaign staffer for the National League for Democracy (NLD) confirmed the party’s victory over the All Mon Regions Democracy Party (AMDP) in the April 1st by-election. The NLD won the parliamentary seat in Moulmein constituency, an area largely populated by ethnic Mon.
The NLD, AMDP, National Unity Party (UNP) and Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) contested for the vacant Moulmein seat.
On the campaign trail, both the AMDP and NLD grabbed the public’s attention. However, according to locals, after Aung San Suu Kyi’s tour visited Moulmein, most Mon nationals switched their allegiance to the NLD.
One Moulmein resident said, “I already knew the Mon party (AMDP) would be defeated, but I voted for them anyway. I don’t care about the defeat. It couldn’t be helped, since many other Mon nationals had more interest in the fighting peacock (the NLD).”
The NLD beat the AMDP in a landslide victory.
According to statistics released by the District Election Commission of Moulmein constituency, the NLD won the parliamentary seat with 71,480 votes, while the USDP, AMDP, and UNP got 19,648, 4,824, and 2,082 votes respectively, said the NLD campaign staff.
“Our party’s victory is thanks to the massive support from Mon nationals, and it represents the voice of the public. All our party members are extremely pleased,” said Ko Kyi Zaw Lwin of the NLD.
He continued, “Once we are in the Hluttaw (Parliament), we will address the needs of the Mon region. There are 41 villages in this region, and we have a systematic plan to assess and meet all civilian needs.”
After their by-election victory, the NLD campaign staff shared their festive mood with the public by organizing memorable dinners in every ward.
Daw Khin Htay Kywe, the NLD candidate who won the Moulmein parliamentary seat, is ethnically Mon.
Moulmein constituency has 119 polling stations and about 158,000 eligible voters.
