MNP appointed 93 CC members, seeing an increase in women elected; senior members continued to chair

The Mon National Party (MNP) appointed ninety-three new members to its central committee (CC) on the 3rd day of the party’s congress, while chairmen and party secretaries were appointed on the fourth day. Of overall membership appointments, women took more than 15%. The MNP’s congress was held over four days, from January 28-31, 2015.

Of the ninety-three newly-elected party members, nineteen were women, showing an increase in women’s membership appointments from last year.

“Women [were] appointed more than before; before there were only ten women [appointed],” said Nai Layeh Tamarh, MNP’s director of information.

On the third day of the party’s congress, party members were elected for the CEC through a democratic system. As time did not permit to finish elections, the congress was expanded to a fourth day, continuing elections on January 31st.

“Our party [membership] election is very democratic and transparent. We would also like other parties to [structure themselves] like us, with a democratic system,” said Dr. Min Soe Linn, former MNP CEC member.

The MNP held its inaugural congress over four days, hosting attendance of more than 330 party representatives.

Of ninety-three central committee members, thirty-one members were elected for the central executive committee (CEC) through secret ballot, while members were also appointed positions for general secretary to vice-chairman.

Nai Layeh Tamarh was appointed general secretary, Nai Soe Myint to joint-secretary-1, and Dr. Min Kyi Win to joint-secretary.

Nai Ngwe Thein will remain as chairman, as he ran uncontested for the position, nor did any of the members object to his continued appointment as party chairman.

Former party leader Nai Htet Lwin secured 251 votes, narrowly beating out Nai Ngwe Thein (aka Nai Janu Mon)’s 248 votes, for the position of vice-chairman one.

As such, 92 year-old Nai Ngwe Thein remains as party chairman, while Nai Htet Lwin and Nai Ngwe Thein (aka Nai Janu Mon), who are both older than 75, were appointed as vice-chairman-1 and vice-chairman-2; respectively.

The MNP’s newly elected central committee members will serve a five-year term, after which new members will be elected at the party’s 2nd congress.

In his closing speech, Chairman Nai Ngwe Thein stated that, “although the congress is finished, it remains a long journey for us to walk. It is necessary that we carry out with our vows. Chairpersons are not working, but those from secretary positions are working,” adding that if secretary members work for the party, the MNP will benefit from the people.

The MNP was first founded as the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) and participated in the 1990 general elections. The party then registered as the Mon Democracy Party (MDP) in 2012, to then again change its name to the Mon National Party.