CHIANG MAI-March 27. The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) known as ‘Tiger Head’ held its annual meeting from March 24 to 26, in the Shan State capital Taunggyi.

During the three-day meeting, the party discussed about merging the two Shan political parties, SNLD and the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) known as ‘White Tiger’, youth and people’s participation in politics, whether or not to contest in the general election in 2015, and election of a new SNLD Central Executive Committee (CEC).

On March 26, the SNLD released its statement. In brief, it states that the SNLD will stand for democracy and a genuine federal system, and whether or not it will contest in the general election will depend on if the election is free and fair. It will endeavor to find a solution about merging with the SNDP. In the process of building peace in Burma, the party will cooperate with other parties.

SNLD spokesperson Sai Leik said, “In the meeting we also discussed about youth capacity building for youth and people to understand about social development and politics. If youth and people participate in politics, it will meet with our leaders’ aims.

On the last day of the meeting, the participants re-elected the new SNLD’s CEC, including Chairman Khun Htun Oo, Vice-chairman Sai Saw Aung, General Secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin, and Deputy-assistant Sai Leik.
About 150 members attended the meeting, including township representatives from 42 of the 55 townships in Shan State.