The National Democratic Force (NDF) was founded in June 2010 by Khin Maung Swe, Than Nyein, Thein Nyunt, and Win Naing, all of whom were prominent members of the NLD. They formed the party after the NLD executive committee refused to register with the Union Election Commission (UEC) and announced the NLD's intention to boycott the 2010 general election.[1]
The NDF's adoption of the peasant bamboo hat, which is a symbol traditionally used by the NLD, created some controversy. After the 2010 election, Thein Nyunt and Kyi Myint, members of the Pyithu Hluttaw, and Phone Myint Aung, a member of the Amyotha Hluttaw, split from the party and set up the New National Democracy Party.
In December 2011, another member of the Amyotha Hluttaw Myat Nyana Soe, resigned from the party and joined the NLD.[3] After the 2012 by-elections, two NDF MPs, Than Win and Khin Maung Win, also rejoined the NLD.[4]
Party co-founder Than Nyein died of liver cancer at Pinlon Hospital in Yangon on 21 May 2014.[5]
The NDF contested 275 constituencies in the 2015 general election, but failed to win a single seat.[6]
However, in the recent years, the NDF has grown close to the military-backed USDP.[10] The party has been described as nationalist[11] and some of its prominent members have expressed their support for the ultranationalistMa Ba Tha organization.[12][13][14] The NDF also backs the State Administration Council, the military junta which seized power in the aftermath of the 2021 military coup.[7]
