United Democratic Party (Myanmar)

The United Democratic Party (Burmese: ညီညွတ်သောဒီမိုကရက်တစ်ပါတီ; abbreviated UDP) was a Burmese political party. The party was registered in May 2010, and dissolved by Myanmar's Union Election Commission in October 2020, for possessing illegal funds.[1] UDP was also known as the Rose Party for the rose featured in its party logo.[2] The party had courted enduring scrutiny for its controversial ties to Michael Kyaw Myint, a convicted businessman with ties to the United Wa State Party.[2]

History

UDP was first registered with the Union Election Commission (UEC) in May 2010 to contest seats in the 2010 Myanmar general election.[1] In the 2010 and 2015 elections, UDP won no seats.[3] In the 2020 Myanmar general election, the party had planned to contest 1,130 constituencies, second only to the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) and more than the opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party.[1] On 17 October 2020, the Union Election Commission formally dissolved the party, finding that the party had violated the Political Parties Registration Law, which prohibits political parties from using funds from foreign governments, organisations, and religious institutions.[4]

In October 2021, in the aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, the military-run Myanma Alin newspaper published an op-ed criticising the civilian government's decision to disband UDP.[5] On 9 February 2023, the UEC permitted the party to re-register, after ex-party members submitted filings under two names: "Union Democracy Party" and "Union Development Party."[6][7] The re-registered party will retain the same party logo and policy platform.[6]

References
  1. "Election commission dissolves United Democratic Party for possessing illegal funds". Myanmar NOW. 2020-10-17. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  2. "Election 2020 | Man With Shady Background Behind a Political Party in Myanmar". The Irrawaddy. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  3. "Election 2020 | Members of Dissolved UDP Back Myanmar Military's Proxy Party". The Irrawaddy. 2020-10-23. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  4. "UEC disbands UDP". Burma News International. 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  5. "Junta mouthpiece criticises NLD-led decision to disband Union Democratic Party last year". Myanmar NOW. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  6. "Disbanded Rose Party re-registers under new name, hopes to compete nationwide in Myanmar junta's election". Myanmar NOW. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  7. "Former members gather in attempt to revive disbanded Rose Party". Myanmar NOW. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
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