The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a junta-aligned political party has promised in Mon State that young people who join the party will be exempt from conscription.
The USDP is a pro military party formed by the military in 2010 that acts as a proxy for the junta. In an attempt to increase the number of its members in Mon State it has been targeting young people there who are eligible for conscription and worried about being drafted into the military, according to Mon State residents.
The USDP claims that if any of its members receive a military summons or are abducted for conscription, the party will intervene on their behalf. It also promises that its members will enjoy other additional rights and opportunities.
A Mon State resident said to Than Lwin Times: “Lately, what I’ve noticed in my ward is that the USDP is trying to attract new members by assuring them that anyone holding their membership card won’t have to serve in the military.”
Since the junta announced that elections will be held at the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026, political parties contesting the election have been opening party offices in junta-controlled towns where they will stand and stepping up efforts to get more members and mobilise people in the areas where they operate.
Another Mon State resident said that the USDP promise of being able to exempt its members from conscription and military service cannot be trusted. He pointed out that the party will not take any responsibility if a member is conscripted.
He said: “I’ve heard that the USDP is offering incentives, saying members can be exempt from military service. But the party won’t take responsibility if problems come up. People need to stay alert and watchful, so they don’t fall into its dishonest trap.”
Resistance forces have condemned the junta-planned election as a sham that does not represent the true will of the people. They have called on political parties not to participate and warned any that do could face consequences.
Besides the USDP, other political parties due to contest the upcoming elections in Mon State include the People's Pioneer Party (PPP), People's Party (PP), Mon Unity Party (MUP), National Unity Party (NUP), Women Party - Mon (WP-Mon), and several other junta-linked parties.
