Incumbents were handed the majority of New Mon State Party’s (NMSP) top leadership positions in an election at the party’s 9th Congress.
Voting by secret ballot for 9 central executive committee (CEC) seats and 33 central committee (CC) members was finalized on January 11. The 9th Congress started on December 27 and concludes today [January 14], at the party’s headquarters in Ye Chaung Phya of Ye Township, Mon State.
Present for the congress were around 119 NMSP representatives, 18 observers, delegates from 20 exile organizations, and 13 advisors.
Incumbent CEC members are Chairman Nai Htaw Mon, Vice-Chairman Nai Hongsar, General Secretary Nai Aung Min, Joint-Secretary Nai Joi Yaet, Military Chief Commander Gen. Layi Gakao, Nai Win Hla, Nai Seik Htaw, and Nai Aye Mon. Nai Banyar Lae was elected to fill the final, previously vacant seat.
Central committee seats went to 27 incumbent members, with mostly new candidates winning the six remaining seats and five reserve positions.
New CC members are Lieutenant Colonel Chan Lwin, Nai Nyan Htun, Nai Chem Mon, Nai Ko Thar, Nai Nyein Chan and Nai Ye Kha. The 5 reserves are Nai Htaw Rot, Nai Lawe Mon (former CC member), Nai Shwe Thein (former CEC member), Major Khin Aye, and Colonel Taing Han.
According to NMSP rules, the party must hold a central congress once every four years to be attended by representatives from the party’s township, district, and central (headquarters) levels. Representatives then cast secret ballots to elect the party’s top positions.
Nai Shwe Kyin, the first chairman, founded the NMSP in 1958. The inaugural central congress was held in 1989.
