The National League for Democracy (NLD) party has officially announced on September 1st the expulsion of U Soe Htet, former Chin State Municipal Affairs Minister, for his decision to participate in the military council’s sham election. U Soe Htet, who won as a state parliament representative for Paletwa Township Constituency No. 1 in the 2020 general election, was also an executive committee member of the NLD’s Chin State Paletwa Township branch. During the NLD government’s administration, he served as the Chin State Minister for Municipal Affairs.
U Soe Htet, also known as Salai Mel Lu, is now preparing to contest in the military council’s fraudulent election, leading to his expulsion from the NLD party. The military violated the constitution by forcefully seizing state power, refusing to accept the results of the 2020 election, which was recognized by the international community as free, fair, and legitimate. They also unlawfully arrested party chairperson Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other national leaders. The NLD’s interim central committee meetings had explicitly prohibited recognition of and cooperation with the military council’s sham election, but U Soe Htet disregarded these directives.
In response to his actions, the NLD has designated U Soe Htet as someone who opposes the will of the people and fails to comply with party decisions, resulting in his expulsion. He has since established the New Chin Congress Party (NCC), which received permission for party formation on May 26, 2025, and party registration approval on July 10, 2025. U Soe Htet, a native of Paletwa and ethnic Khumi (Chin), previously served in the military, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The NLD’s announcement emphasizes that his participation in the military council’s election contradicts both the party’s stance and the democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people.
