Naypyitaw orders hundreds of Shan costumes for elections

Naypyitaw has reportedly ordered Northeastern Region Command commander to provide Shan tailors in order to make Shan traditional dresses for candidates to wear in the upcoming elections, according to sources from Northern Shan State.

According to the directive which was passed in early June, each district in Northern Shan State is assigned to provide three Shan tailors who will have to make one hundred suits, said a source from Namkham township.

There are five districts in Northern Shan State: Kyaukme, Lashio, Muse, Laogai and Kunlong.

Three tailors representing Muse District were sent on 8 June, said a local resident in Muse.

The three selected were identified as Shwe Kyaung, his son and a woman called Nang Tin.

“Actually, 18 people came from Muse and Namkham. They [authorities] made the final selections at Lashio,” he added. The rest were sent back to their hometowns on 10 June.

However, the three were sent back on 12 June by Naypyitaw because the authorities were not satisfied with them, according to a local resident in Namkham close to one of the returnees.

Others were told to make costumes worn by Saofas (the traditional rulers of Shan State).

“They [authorities] did not tell us how much they will pay. They only said they will give certificates,” the source quoted the returnee as saying. “They said the suits are for candidates to wear when they are elected.”

But some rumors are saying that the suits are for the former Prime Minister Thein Sein led Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) members to wear while campaigning and canvassing votes in Shan State.

There are so far 11 political parties that will contest in the whole Shan State, North, East and South: the Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP), Northern Shan State Progressive Party (NSSPP), Taang (Palaung) National Party (PNP), Wa National Unity Party (WNUP), Wa Democratic Party (WDP), Kokang Democracy and Unity Party (KDUP), Pa-O National Organization (PNO), Inn National Development Party (INDP), Lahu National Development Party (LNDP), Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and National Unity Party (NUP). But NSSPP is yet to be approved by the Elections Commission.

Source:http://shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3065:naypyitaw-orders-hundreds-of-shan-costumes-for-elections&catid=85:politics&Itemid=266