Committee representing members of the People's Parliament elected in the 1990 multi-party general elections

(Committee representing the People's Parliament)

Notification No 17 ( 3/99)

1. In the May 1990 Multiparty General Elections, U Thein San contested as the NLD candidate in Caulin Township, Sagaing Division and was wholeheartedly returned is an indication of the people's unfettered wishes and demonstrates that sovereignty lies with the people- a basic democratic principle.

2. U Thein San was returned with 29986 indisputable votes (73.1%) and was declared the legitimate People's Parliament Representative by the Multiparty Elections Commission.

3. We have received Information that preparations are underway to orchestrate a no-confidence demonstration (an utterly disgraceful and contemptible exercise) against this legally elected People's Parliament Representative U Thein San. The military intelligence (holders of power) is using the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) a non-political organisation for this purpose.

4. Caulin Township comprises 6 wards, 47 village tracts totaling 53 administrative units. Information received is that on 28 February 1998, signatures from 47 units was obtained in one go by the USDA (under instructions from the power holders).

5. On 28 February 1999, at the village of In-kyaw-sin, Tha-yet-kone village tract, at about 2:00 pm, U Maung Than (chairman of the village PDC) and members together with U Maung Maung Lwin (Katha township USDA Secretary) and members, asked for household lists and demanded signatures from every individual over the age of 18. They were threatened with prison terms of 2 to 3 years for non-compliance and a fine of Kyats one hundred for failure to attend the meeting of heads of households.

6. Our information is that in other villages, U Pho Han (Caulin township PDC chairman) and Police Lance Corporal U Sein Thoung and members of his force misused authority and obtained signatures through coercion and force. Again in other villages, the procedure that was adopted was as follows:-Names of every 18 years old and over from household lists that the village PDC demanded were copied into forms and the ten-house-head or the head of the household was made to sign. In some of the units, villagers who refused to sign the no-confidence papers were threatened with arrest.

7. The National League for Democracy urges the holders of power to refrain from exploiting and threatening, in the manner set out above,

ordinary and simple people who are peacefully struggling to make a living. We are fully aware that the people have no inclination or desire to behave in this illegal manner against their elected representatives.

8. We publicly declare that these "No confidence" activities are illegal and do not have any legitimacy for the following reasons:-(a) The said activities are ultra vires the provisions of the Political Parties Registration Law dated 27-9-88 and People's Parliament Law dated 31-3-89. (b) The authorities are acting in contravention of the provisions of paragraph (b) of Order 2/88 (18-9-88) prohibiting the gathering together, making speeches, or stirring and provoking by five or more persons. (c ) Violating the rights of simple innocent people and using them as chopping blocks. (d) Extreme abuse of authority and exercise of power.

Committee Representing thePeople's Parliament

Rangoon 30 March 1999

(Responsibility for this publication is taken by the National League for Democracy.)