Chin parties remain confident of reaping electoral spoils

Friday, 06 August 2010 11:57 Salai Tun

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Despite limited resources and refuting the analysis of many observers, ethnic Chin parties from Burma’s northwest are confident of victory in the year’s upcoming general election.
Leaders from two Chin parties stipulated that although the rival Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has conducted an electoral campaign for two months already, the voting populace does not support the central government-backed organization.

Representatives from the Chin Progressive Party and Chin National Party are confident that only ethnic parties will be able to emerge winners from the polling in Chin State.

“We could only start our electoral campaign two months after the USDP, but the residents support us. That shows they don’t want to support the USDP. We preach only about the development of Chin State. That’s why the Chin people support us. So, I think only Chin ethnic parties will win in the forthcoming election,” Chin National Party candidate Ngon Maung told Mizzima.

The Vice-Chairman of the Chin Progressive Party, Chen Hre, added, “Chin people will not support the junta-backed party. The junta is a junta and will set up a dictatorship. Chin people are familiar with the democratic system. We used to elect leaders of churches and organizations through democratic ways. We are familiar with elections. So, Chin people can’t support the junta.”

He continued, “People are very interested in Chin ethnic parties. They support not only our party but also other Chin ethnic parties. This is a good sign for the future of Chin State.”

Previously, the USDP gave notice it would solve the problem of frequent power cuts in the region, chronic water shortage and poor roads.

“We heard the USDP preach that they would handle problems about power cuts, water shortage, and bad roads. But, Chin people don’t like them because they love democracy,” furthered Lian Ce, Chairman of the Chin Progressive Party in Matupi Township.

Lian Htan Kyi, a local resident from Falam, explained, “They [Chin ethnic parties] don’t have good facilities to conduct an electoral campaign. They have to carry their bags by themselves. They have to pass mountains to come here. So, we must encourage them. They really know our problems. Burma is the poorest country in Southeast Asia. Chin State is the poorest region in Burma. So, we hope that ethnic Chin parties will support the development in Chin State.’