Myanmar's ruling party reforms central committee

Myanmar's ruling party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), reformed its central executive committee (CEC) Thursday, retaining President U Thein Sein as the party chairman.

As proposed by U Thein Sein, Vice Chairman U Shwe Mann, who was holding the post of chairman during U Thein Sein's assumption of presidency, was replaced by U Htay Oo.

U Htay Oo, an MP in the House of Representatives, was former agriculture minister with a military rank of major general during the previous military government and became vice chairman of the party in 2012.

USDP General Secretary U Maung Maung Thein was also replaced by U Tin Naing Thein, who was former minister at the President's Office.

The reformation of the party's 47-member CEC came after a meeting at the headquarters in the capital of Nay Pyi Taw welcoming the party candidates nominated to run for the Nov. 8 general election.

The USDP has nominated a total of 1,147 candidates nationwide for the upcoming polls while President U Thein Sein and Vice President U Nyan Tun decided not to take part in the vote.