The limits of the NLD’s popularity have been found, way up in northern Shan State. The Ta’ang Palaung National Party has emerged victorious in Namkhan township, on the border with China, according to unofficial results provided by the township commission, with the NLD finishing last out of five parties.

But the Palaung party only came out on top because the two ethnic Shan parties, the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, split the vote. The Union Solidarity and Development Party came close behind in fourth, while the National League for Democracy was dead last by some way.

In the Pyithu Hluttaw seat, the Palaung party garnered 20,323 votes, ahead of the SNDP on 12,142 and the SNLD on 11,842. The USDP got 8604 and the NLD 2578.

In Shan State Amyotha Hluttaw seat 5, the Palaung got 18,029 in Namkhan, ahead of the SNLD (12,252), the SNDP (11,488), the USDP (7620) and the NLD (2290). The winner of the seat will only be confirmed after results from neighbouring Muse and Kutkai are added, as the three townships together comprise seat 5.

In Shan State Hluttaw seat 1, the Palaung party won with 10,968, followed by the SNDP (7203), the SNLD (6199), the USDP (3288) and the NLD (1602).

In Shan State Hluttaw seat 2, the Palaung party received 9683 votes, followed by the USDP (6178), the SNLD (6244), the SNDP (4777) and the NLD (1136).