The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) defied a formal order from the military junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) inviting it to its office for an audit.

Last Thursday, Khin Maung Oo of the UEC threatened to take action against both the SNLD and the National League for Democracy (NLD) under Article 24 (c), (d) and (e) of the Political Parties Registration Law if their party members failed to make an appearance by Sunday.

During a press conference in Naypyitaw he said: “The UEC members will hold a management meeting after Armed Forces Day and we will make a decision.”

A letter demanding the parties’ participation in the audit was first sent on 9 March .

SNLD general secretary Sai Lek told SHAN that they will continue to abide by their party’s policies and decisions made by its its central executive committee. He said that if the UEC wanted to take legal action, that was their business, but they would not go to their office to conduct the audit. Earlier, SNLD invited UEC to come to their office to review their financial transactions.

“I think they should reconsider if this is appropriate with the current political situation. If they take action against us without carefully consideration , it won’t be good for all parties.”

In February, the UEC requested for all of the political parties to come to the UEC office to report their party members and assets. Most NLD members are in prison or in hiding after the military staged a coup more than a year ago.

In the 2020 elections, the SNLD won a majority of seats in Shan State. Many people in the Shan community suspect the probe is a plot to prevent the party from contesting the next elections that might be held under the regime.