Myanmar ruling party rejigs central committee

Myanmar's ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) on Thursday rejigged its central executive committee (CEC) but retained President U Thein Sein as the party chairman.

As proposed by U Thein Sein, Vice Chairman U Shwe Mann was replaced by U Htay Oo, an MP in the House of Representatives, Xinhua news agency reported.

U Htay Oo was the former agriculture minister. He 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 changes in the party's 47-member CEC came after a meeting at the headquarters in the capital of Naypyidaw welcoming the party candidates nominated to run for the upcoming November 8 general election.

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