A Buddhist nationalist group have called on Myanmar’s population to not vote for those who do not protect “the country, race and religion”. This is an announcement read as a criticism of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in next year’s general election, according to an article in The Irrawaddy. An estimated 1,000 members of the Buddha Prahita Foundation (formerly Ma Ba Tha before the government banned use of the name) gathered at its headquarters in Yangon’s Insein Township earlier this week. A statement was later released criticizing recent laws that had been introduced by parliament. One of the highlights was “Child’s Right Law”, that could enable the children of “illegal immigrants” to become Myanmar citizens. The decision to take action against ultranationalist monk U Wirathu for comments he made on the State Counsellor was also criticized. “We, the Buddha Dhamma Prahita Foundation, which has been safeguarding race and religion, seriously urge fellow monks and people to oppose by all means. This includes refusing to vote for those who are responsible for the above-mentioned actions, which could ruin the country, race and religion,” the statement said.