Rakhine state ethnic party re-registers with poll watchdog

Tuesday, 20 April 2010 21:11 Khaing Suu

New Delhi (Mizzima) - An ethnic minority political party from Rakhine State has re-registered with the Election Commission in Naypyidaw, the party’s chairman has said.
Mro or Khami National Solidarity Organisation chairman San Tha Aung said: “We, the ethnic minorities, are lagging in economic and social development. So, in order to promote the status of our people, we aim to contest the forthcoming election”, San Tha Aung said.

The party is running more than 20 candidates for seats in Kyauk Taw, Palak Wa, Myouk Oo and Pouk Taw townships, where the ethnic group’s power base live.

Seventy per cent of candidates ran in the 1990 election.

The population of Mro, also known as Khami, in Rakhine State was around 120,000, San Tha Aung said.

Kyaw Htun Khine and Aye Haung are vice-chairmen and La Bwai is party secretary.

The party, which re-registered on April 9, took part in the 1990 election under the symbol of a tap. Four candidates contested and only one candidate were won.

San Tha Aung said he was a teacher in Kyauk Taw, and a secretary and executive committee member of the People’s Council of Kyauk Taw Township before the party was formed.

Similarly, the Union of Myanmar National Force (Arakan State) from Rakhine State tried to register on April 9, but their documentation was insufficient. So, they will register again after the Thingyan water festival holidays, party chairman Aye Kyaing told Mizzima.

Before April 9, sixteen new political parties had registered to contest the forthcoming elections and there are three existing parties re-registered with the commission; the National Unity Party, Mro or Khami National Solidarity Organization and the Union of Karen League.

The new parties are the: 88 Generation Student Youths (Union of Myanmar); Union of Myanmar National Political Force; Democratic Party; Karen People’s Party, National Political Alliance, Pa-O National Organisation; Kachin State Progressive Party, Myanmar New Society Democratic Party; Difference and Peace Party; New Era People Party; Chin National Party; Union Democracy Party; Shan Nationalities Democratic Party; Palaung National Party; Nationalist (Wuntharnu) NLD (Union of Myanmar); and, the Wa Democratic Party.