MANDALAY — Hundreds of people lined the streets of Mandalay on Friday morning for a colourful, noisy motorcade by the National League for Democracy ahead its last rally in the city before Sunday’s election.
Dozens of motorbikes, decorated with the party’s red flag and its fighting peacock insignia, streamed past the Mandalay Palace, heading for the rally site in Chanayethaza Township.
The motorbikes were followed by a float adorned on both sides with images of NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, as loudspeakers blared the party’s songs calling for change.
Hundreds of waving, cheering people applauded the motorcade.
“I have never seen this before, I’m so excited,” said one woman, waving from outside her home.
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NLD supporters are confident the party will win easily in the country’s second biggest city.
“The NLD will win, we have so much support,” NLD member Ko Ye said as the motorcade made a brief stop at the party’s office in Pyigyitagon Township.
“I love this party, and I love Daw Suu. I will vote for them,” said Daw Thet Thet, her face covered with NLD stickers.
Trishaw driver U Myint Thein, 54, told Frontier on Thursday evening that he had become frustrated by the lack of change in the country.
“We have had so many opportunities for change in the country, but nothing has ever happened,” he said. “Like 90 percent of this city, I will vote for NLD. They are the only ones who can bring real change.”
